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Leadership Development and Scholarship Programs

Educating Leaders for Global Impact

The 20th anniversary celebration of Africa University begins with a procession.

Photo: Kathleen Barry, UM News

Scholarships advancing justice, healing, and Christian community worldwide. Global Ministries equips emerging church and community leaders worldwide through two highly selective scholarship programs, the World Communion Scholarship and the Leadership Development Scholarship.

Scholarship Program Overview

  • Covers tuition, books, and required school-related fees

  • One-year awards, paid directly to the educational institution

  • Award amounts based on the school’s current tuition invoice

  • Enrollment at an accredited institution (August 2026–February 2027) is required

World Communion International and National Scholarships

Designed for emerging leaders pursuing advanced theological or community-focused education at the graduate level.

General Eligibility
  • Member of The United Methodist Church or a Global Ministries mission partner
  • Admitted to or applying for a master’s or doctoral program
  • Strong academic record and commitment to Christian mission and service
  • Demonstrated financial need
  • One recommendation from a pastor, church leader, or bishop

Supports leaders outside the U.S. preparing for advanced education who will return to serve their churches and communities. Priority is given to applicants studying within their region of origin.
Approximately 10–15 scholars are selected annually.

Additional Requirement

  • Citizen of a country outside the U.S.

Supports U.S.-based leaders pursuing advanced theological or community-focused education aligned with Global Ministries’ missional priorities.

Additional Requirement

  • U.S. citizen or permanent resident

Leadership Development Scholarships

These scholarships support leadership formation across a range of educational pathways for students committed to Christian service in their communities.

International Leadership Development Scholarship (ILDS)

Supports emerging leaders outside the U.S. preparing for Christian leadership and service in their local communities. Eligible academic programs include post‑secondary, master’s, doctoral, professional, and leadership development studies.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Be a citizen of a country other than the United States
  • Be a member of The United Methodist Church or a Global Ministries mission partner
  • Be admitted to or have applied for an eligible academic program
  • Demonstrate financial need
  • One recommendation from a pastor, church leader, or bishop

Supports emerging U.S.-based undergraduate students preparing for service in communities in need.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Commitment to serving communities in need
  • Enrolled in, admitted to, or applying to an undergraduate program in an accredited institution
  • Demonstrate financial need
  • One recommendation from a pastor, church leader, or bishop

Scholarship Inquiries

To learn more about scholarships offered by Global Ministries and Higher Education and Ministry, contact the Scholarship Office at +1-615-340-7344 or umcscholar@gbhem.org.

Get notified about scholarships

Read Stories
of Impact

)> View All Leadership Development and Scholarships Stories

A Beacon in the Community

In seven years, an African American UMC in Alabama went from a pantry that served five people a month to a pantry that now serves 9,000 families a year and offers a clinic, services to the unhoused, HIV testing and navigation to care, prison re-entry, court programming, and mental health counseling.
Read Story

A Beacon in the Community

In seven years, an African American UMC in Alabama went from a pantry that served five people a month to a pantry that now serves 9,000 families a year and offers a clinic, services to the unhoused, HIV testing and navigation to care, prison re-entry, court programming, and mental health counseling.
Read Story

Program Transforms Youth in Mutare Churches

Pillars & Plants, a Global Ministries–funded project in Zimbabwe, empowers youth through music, dance, and art, reducing stigma around substance abuse and fostering openness, healing, and hope.
Read Story

Program Transforms Youth in Mutare Churches

Pillars & Plants, a Global Ministries–funded project in Zimbabwe, empowers youth through music, dance, and art, reducing stigma around substance abuse and fostering openness, healing, and hope.
Read Story

A new church home for Central Africans

With faith, hope, prayer and dedicated partners, the UMC in the Central African Republic has built a new temple, and that’s just the beginning.
Read Story

A new church home for Central Africans

With faith, hope, prayer and dedicated partners, the UMC in the Central African Republic has built a new temple, and that’s just the beginning.
Read Story
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Explore Our Other Ministries

Help grow Methodism in new places, strengthen churches and support programs that share the good news of God’s love.

New Faith Communities

Share the gospel and Christ’s love in new places, including Central African Republic, Honduras and Southeast Asia.

Mission Connections

Build partnerships to grow the church and understand its unique expression in different cultures worldwide.

Multiethnic Ministries

Serve vulnerable groups and work to fight inequality through multiethnic and racial-ethnic congregations in the United States.

Leadership Development and Scholarships Program

Provide resources and opportunities to help individuals and mission partners build skills needed to fulfill mission goals in their regions.

Institute for Multicultural Ministries

Help church leaders understand cultural differences, build relationships and serve diverse communities, especially migrants and refugees.

Community Developers Program

A group of racial and ethnic churches across the U.S. working to strengthen The United Methodist Church’s ability to serve and partner with local communities.

In Mission Together

Connecting U.S. churches with global partners to help start churches, focusing on long-term development and self-sufficiency.