CALL FOR FOUR (4) CONFERENCE POSTER GRANTS TO PARTICIPATE IN FBK-ISR'S FORUM ON RELIGIOUS STUDIES - FOREST
Are you a PhD student in religious studies or related fields such as history, philosophy, theology, sociology, or anthropology?
Would you be interested in exchanging ideas with fellow early-career students and experienced researchers on topics relevant to your area of study, while receiving guidance, suggestions, and methodological support?
Are you keen to explore research communication methods and learn storytelling and dissemination techniques?
If so, we encourage you to apply for the Forum on Religious Studies (FoReSt), an innovative initiative that offers a platform to discuss the themes and methods of your research in an engaging and collaborative environment at the Centre for Religious Sciences of the Bruno Kessler Foundation (FBK-ISR) in Trento.
FoReSt is designed for the community of PhD students and early-career researchers in Religious Studies, with the objective of establishing an open and inclusive environment for in-depth discussions pertaining to their specific research trajectories. The format fosters dialogue between a young researcher and two established scholars (one acting as a discussant and the other as an FBK mentor). By inverting the traditional seminar structure, the Forum on Religious Studies provides PhD students with the opportunity to present an extended paper on their chosen topic, articulate any uncertainties or methodological challenges, and subsequently receive feedback and responses from senior discussants as well as fellow participants, including PhD students, doctoral graduates, and researchers at various stages of their careers. The primary goal is to foster broad, dynamic, and participatory discussions centered on the speaker’s proposed subject.
Additionally, the Forum will feature two afternoon sessions on October 27th and 28th dedicated to themes related to the communication and dissemination of research findings. These sessions will comprise workshops and roundtable discussions focusing primarily on storytelling and communication strategies. These activities are organized in collaboration with Banca per il Trentino-Alto Adige Südtirol of Trento.
Additionally, the Forum will feature two afternoon sessions on October 27th and 28th dedicated to themes related to the communication and dissemination of research findings. These sessions will comprise workshops and roundtable discussions focusing primarily on storytelling and communication strategies. These activities are organized in collaboration with Banca per il Trentino-Alto Adige Südtirol of Trento.
The participation grants (travel grants) offered through this call for applications are intended for PhD students and post-doctoral fellows who have obtained their degrees within the past two years. Eligible applicants should plan to attend the Forum as co-discussant participants, engage in the poster session, and participate in the afternoon training activities as trainees.
Mentor FBK:
Paolo COSTA
Valeria FABRETTI
Lucia GALVAGNI
Debora TONELLI
Keynote Speakers:
Graziano LINGUA
Michael STAUSBERG
Speaker Tavola rotonda:
Gabriele MARINO
Nicolò MONTI
Claudio GIUNTA
Sara HEJAZI
Forum Overview:
Topics (indicative, not exhaustive): religious sciences, theology, interreligious dialogue, religious violence, spiritual spatiality, cultural studies, philosophy of religions, sociology of religion, bioethics, secularisation theory, contemporary metamorphoses of spirituality, anthropology of religions, history of religions.
Duration: Three days
Location: Trento, Bruno Kessler Foundation
Date: 27-29 October 2025
Language: Italian, English
The organisation of the Forum is offering a contribution (Travel Grant) of up to 300 Euros to each selected participant to cover the costs related to participation in the Forum through analytical reimbursement of expenses incurred for the purchase of travel tickets and accommodation.
No. 4 participation travel grants are available and the selected candidates will be chosen on the basis of the quality and relevance of their research contributions to the Forum. Applications will be reviewed by an internal committee of the FBK-ISR centre.
Eligibility criteria:
PhD students in Religious Studies and related disciplines are eligible to apply.
Applicants must have a demonstrable interest in the study of religions and related phenomena.
How to apply:
Interested candidates are invited to apply by 01/06/2025. The application package must include the following documents:
– A curriculum vitae (CV) in European format highlighting academic and professional background;
– A short letter of intent of maximum 2000 characters, outlining your research interests and explaining why you are interested in participating in this forum;
– An abstract (maximum 300 words) of the research project you intend to share during the forum;
– A draft of the poster that you intend to present and that takes into account the criteria of clarity of communication and dissemination, both in terms of content and layout;
Interested applicants should send these documents in a single PDF file by e-mail to with the subject: ‘FOREST Grant Application – [Surname]’.
Important dates:
– Application deadline: 15 september 2025, at 11:59 PM
– Notification of acceptance: 27 september 2025, at 3:00 PM
 |
L’iniziativa è stata realizzata anche grazie al contributo della Direzione generale Educazione, ricerca e istituti culturali del Ministero della Cultura. |
PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA
Pursuant to Article 13 of the EU Regulation No. 2016/679 (GDPR), we inform you that the personal data provided will be processed by the Foundation – in its capacity as Data Controller – by manual, computer and telematic means however suitable to guarantee the security and confidentiality of such data, exclusively within the scope of this Call for Conference Grants and for the fulfilments related thereto.
The provision of data is compulsory in order to submit an application. It is the right of each candidate to obtain access, rectification, erasure, restriction of processing, objection to processing for legitimate reasons, portability and the right to lodge and complain to the Data Protection Authority under Chapter III of the GDPR.
The full information on the processing of personal data is available at the link