91¿´Æ¬

Drone view of south campus

Call for Proposals: Moravian World Heritage Undergraduate Research Grant Program

91¿´Æ¬ Faculty Development

Application Deadline: February 1, 2026

Overview

91¿´Æ¬ is pleased to announce the Moravian World Heritage Research Grant Program, offering $2,500 awards to support faculty-student collaborative research projects that explore aspects of Moravian World Heritage within diverse academic disciplines. This program aims to foster interdisciplinary scholarship while providing meaningful research experiences for undergraduate students.

Moravian World Heritage: Outstanding Universal Value

In July 2024, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee inscribed Moravian Church Settlements—including Bethlehem (Pennsylvania, USA), Christiansfeld (Denmark), Gracehill (Northern Ireland, UK), and Herrnhut (Germany)—on the World Heritage List as a transnational serial property of outstanding universal value to humanity.

The settlements were inscribed under UNESCO criteria iii and iv, recognizing them as exhibiting exceptional testimony to a living cultural tradition and serving as outstanding examples of architectural and urban planning that illustrate significant stages in human history.

The Outstanding Universal Value of these settlements lies in their democratic organization expressed through humanistic town planning, their buildings designed for common welfare, and their visual and functional connections between individual elements and the landscape setting. 

For the purposes of this grant program, Moravian World Heritage encompasses the historical, cultural, spiritual, and material legacy of the Moravian Church (Unitas Fratrum) and its global communities. Projects may focus on historical analysis, contemporary manifestations, or connections between past and present. Interdisciplinary approaches that bridge multiple themes are particularly encouraged.

Program Goals

  • Promote scholarly investigation of Moravian heritage, culture, and global impact
  • Strengthen faculty-student research partnerships
  • Support interdisciplinary approaches to understanding Moravian contributions to world heritage
  • Enhance student learning through hands-on research experience
  • Generate scholarship that contributes to the broader understanding of Moravian legacy

Eligibility

  • Primary Investigator: Full-time 91¿´Æ¬ faculty member
  • Student Collaborator: Currently enrolled undergraduate student(s)
  • Projects must demonstrate clear connection to Moravian World Heritage themes
  • Collaborative nature of faculty-student partnership must be evident

Funding Details

  • Award Amount: $2,500 per project
  • Funding Period: One academic year (extension for a further year available on request)
  • Allowable Expenses: Research materials, travel for archival research, equipment, software, conference presentation costs, student stipends

Application Requirements

  1. Project Proposal (3-4 pages):
    1. Research question and significance
    2. Literature review and theoretical framework
    3. Methodology and timeline
    4. Connection to Moravian World Heritage themes
    5. Student learning objectives
  2. Budget Justification (1 page):
    1. Detailed breakdown of proposed expenses
    2. Explanation of how funds will enhance the project
  3. Faculty-Student Partnership Plan (1 page):
    1. Description of student role and responsibilities
    2. Mentorship approach and professional development opportunities
    3. Expected outcomes for student collaborator
  4. Faculty CV (2 pages maximum)
  5. Student academic record (unofficial transcript acceptable)

Example Projects by Discipline

Modern Languages

  • "Preserving Moravian Linguistic Heritage: Digital Archive of 18th-Century German Moravian Texts"
    • Digitize and translate historical German documents from Moravian archives
    • Create searchable database with linguistic annotations
    • Analyze evolution of religious vocabulary in Moravian German communities
  • "Moravian Missionary Languages: Documentation and Revitalization Efforts"
    • Study Moravian contributions to indigenous language preservation
    • Document Moravian-created dictionaries and grammars
    • Collaborate with contemporary communities on language revitalization

History

  • "Women's Roles in Moravian Community Building: A Comparative Study of Bethlehem and Salem"
    • Examine women's economic and social contributions in early Moravian settlements
    • Analyze primary sources including diaries, church records, and business documents
    • Create digital exhibition showcasing women's leadership
  • "Global Networks: Moravian Missions and Cultural Exchange, 1750-1850"
    • Map Moravian missionary networks across continents
    • Investigate cultural exchange and adaptation in diverse contexts
    • Develop interactive timeline of Moravian global expansion

Art

  • "Sacred Spaces: Architectural Heritage of Moravian Meetinghouses"
    • Document architectural features of historic Moravian buildings
    • Analyze influences of European and American building traditions
    • Create 3D models for preservation and educational purposes
  • "Moravian Decorative Arts: Continuity and Innovation in Traditional Crafts"
    • Study pottery, textiles, and woodworking traditions
    • Interview contemporary Moravian artisans
    • Curate exhibition connecting historical and modern practices

Environmental Sciences

  • "Sustainable Land Stewardship: Environmental Practices in Historic Moravian Communities"
    • Analyze land use patterns in Moravian settlements
    • Study water management and agricultural practices
    • Assess relevance of historical practices for modern sustainability
  • "Botanical Heritage Gardens: Plant Knowledge and Conservation in Moravian Tradition"
    • Document medicinal and utilitarian plants used by Moravian communities
    • Create heritage garden with historically accurate plantings
    • Develop educational materials on traditional ecological knowledge

Computer Science

  • "Digital Moravian Heritage Platform: Interactive Database of Global Moravian Sites"
    • Develop web-based platform connecting Moravian sites worldwide
    • Implement GIS mapping and virtual tour capabilities
    • Create user-friendly interface for researchers and public education
  • "Machine Learning Analysis of Moravian Historical Documents"
    • Apply natural language processing to large collections of Moravian texts
    • Identify patterns in community decision-making and governance
    • Develop automated transcription tools for handwritten archival materials
  • "Virtual Reality Experience of 18th-Century Moravian Community Life"
    • Create immersive VR reconstruction of historic Bethlehem or Salem
    • Model daily activities, religious practices, and community interactions
    • Develop educational modules for museums and schools

Health Sciences

  • "Community Health Models: Moravian Approaches to Public Wellness, 1750-1850"
    • Analyze Moravian medical records and health practices
    • Study community-based healthcare delivery systems
    • Compare historical approaches with modern public health principles
  • "Moravian Medicinal Plant Traditions: Ethnobotanical and Pharmacological Analysis"
    • Document traditional Moravian herbal remedies and practices
    • Test efficacy of historically used medicinal plants
    • Create database linking traditional uses with modern scientific findings
  • "Mental Health and Spiritual Care in Moravian Communities"
    • Examine integration of spiritual and psychological wellness practices
    • Analyze pastoral care records and community support systems
    • Investigate relevance for contemporary holistic health approaches

Economics and Business

  • "Communal Economy in Practice: Moravian Economic Systems and Resource Management"
    • Analyze the "General Economy" model used in early 18th-century Bethlehem
    • Study decision-making processes, labor allocation, and distribution systems
    • Compare communal economic principles with modern cooperative and social enterprise models
  • "Heritage Tourism Economics: UNESCO Designation Impact on Moravian Communities"
    • Assess economic impact of World Heritage status on Bethlehem and partner settlements
    • Survey visitor patterns, spending, and community benefits
    • Develop recommendations for sustainable heritage tourism management
  • "Moravian Craft Industries and Trade Networks: Business Innovation in Historic Context"
    • Document craft guild organization and quality control systems
    • Trace trade relationships between Moravian settlements and external markets
    • Analyze entrepreneurship within communal constraints and applications for social business

Evaluation Criteria

  • Scholarly Merit (25%): Research significance and methodological soundness
  • Moravian Heritage Connection (25%): Clear relationship to Moravian World Heritage themes
  • Faculty-Student Collaboration (20%): Evidence of meaningful partnership and student learning
  • Feasibility (15%): Realistic timeline and appropriate budget
  • Innovation (15%): Creative approach and potential for broader impact

Application Process

Submit applications electronically to worldheritage@moravian.edu with subject line "MWH Research Grant - [Last Name]"

Further enquiries can be directed to faullk@moravian.edu*

Application Deadline: February 1, 2026
Award Notification: April 1, 2026
Project Period: September 1, 2026-May 1, 2027

Reporting Requirements

  • Mid-project progress report -- January 15, 2027
  • Final report including student reflection – September 30, 2027
  • Presentation of findings at 91¿´Æ¬ Research Symposium
  • Submission of any publications or creative works resulting from project

This program reflects 91¿´Æ¬'s commitment to experiential learning and scholarly excellence while honoring our unique heritage and global perspective.