Thank you for your interest in the Scholars-in-Residence Program at the C.S. Lewis Study Centre at The Kilns.
While exceptions are possible, we ask that you submit your application materials no earlier than six months and no later than four weeks before your desired stay in the SIR program. This gives us time to process your application and make a decision.
Our application process consists of the following steps:
1. Please email jbohnert at cslewis.org to find out whether we have availability during your intended dates. Note: availability does not guarantee selection/participation in the programme.
2. Submit your application for admission, together with a Letter of Intent (describing the nature of your interest in the SIR program) and your Resume, to the C.S. Lewis Foundation home office in Redlands by e-mail or by mail to:
C.S. Lewis Foundation
Attn: Scholars-in-Residence Coordinator
P.O. Box 8008
Redlands, CA 92375
Note: while we prefer applications by email in pdf form as it is the fastest way for us to receive them, we are happy to receive them by postal mail as well.
Tip: If you have trouble completing the application in Adobe Acrobat, the application may be printed on paper and then completed and scanned back into pdf.
3. Upon receipt of your application, your application materials will be reviewed. Within two weeks of receipt you should receive a preliminary response indicating whether your proposed dates are available and your particular interests and experience appear compatible the Study Centre’s mission and priorities.
4. An appropriate staff member will contact you to schedule a telephone interview.
5. Your application materials and your interview will then be reviewed for further action. Upon approval, you will be then asked to submit either
- For long term Resident Scholar applicants (terms of two months or more): Three letters of recommendation (One personal, two professional)
- For short term Visiting Scholar applicants (terms of less than two months): Contact information for three references (One personal, two professional)
6. Within two weeks of receipt of final reference materials, the SIR Committee will make a final decision on your candidacy and report back to you.
Application Materials
Application Form
You may download the Scholars in Residence Application here.
Letter of Intent and Resume/Curriculum Vitae:
Along with the application form, candidates for the Scholars-in-Residence Program are required to submit a Letter of Intent and their resume or C.V.
The Letter of Intent should detail your reasons for applying to the Scholars-in-Residence program, your program of study or sabbatical, and your goals for your stay at the C.S. Lewis Study Centre at The Kilns.
Letters of Recommendation / List of References
Two to three letters of recommendation are required for Resident Scholars (those applying for a stay of two months or more). You should include at least one professional and one personal reference. Individuals providing such letters may be contacted by the C.S. Lewis Foundation as part of our selection process.
For Visiting Scholars (those applying for a stay of less than two months), we require a list of three references whom we may contact if we choose. Two should be professional references.
How We Make Our Selection
A combination of several factors will determine when and if a firm offer of acceptance into the SIR program is made. The following factors are all considered in the review and selection process:
Suitability
Highest consideration is given to those candidates whose reason for applying fits strongly within the mission of the C.S. Lewis Foundation and more specifically, that of the C.S. Lewis Study Centre at The Kilns.
Community
An integral part of the Scholars-in-Residence Program is the fellowship created by this residential community of scholars, pastors, graduate students, writers, and artists. As such, higher consideration is given to those candidates who demonstrate their intention to contribute positively to this community.
Length of stay
In the case of multiple applicants applying for overlapping periods of time, candidates with a longer term of stay (Resident Scholars) will be given preference over those who are visiting for a short period of time (Visiting Scholars).
Applicant Pool and availability
Timing of the application, relative to the number of available openings, can affect one’s chances of being selected.