We Raise Foundation – O.P. Kretzmann Memorial Fund Grants

Click here to examine important information on the project proposal format.
Click here to go to the online application submission form.

Research proposals will be eligible for consideration for a We Raise Foundation – O.P. Kretzmann Memorial Fund Grant if they address themselves to questions of the analysis, diagnosis, and/or cure of physical, spiritual, and mental health issues, irrespective of the academic department of the researcher, or if they address themselves to issues that occur at the intersection of poverty, violence, and inequality. We Raise supports research focused on education, workforce development, and criminal justice.

Preference is given to those proposals that, in addition to satisfying the above criteria, hold promise of practical usefulness in the life and ministry of the church, particularly the Lutheran Church, and lead to the creation of sustainable programs that help people thrive. Grants are made by the president of the University upon recommendation of the Committee on Creative Work and Research and, if desired, augmented by a person chosen ad hoc by the president of the We Raise Foundation (formerly Wheat Ridge Ministries). More information about the We Raise Foundation, its mission, and its priorities can be found at weraise.org.

Any discoveries or inventions made in the course of research under a We Raise Foundation – O.P. Kretzmann Memorial Fund Grant is the property, in equal shares, of the researcher, of Valparaiso University, and of the We Raise Foundation. The right to publish results of the research belongs exclusively to the researcher.

All faculty with the rank of lecturer or above, who have served the University for at least three (3) academic years prior to the effective date of the appointment, are eligible.

In awarding grants from this fund, there must be no discrimination based on race, sex, color, or national origin. Religious considerations may be taken into account to the extent of evaluating the potential value of the proposed research for the life and ministry of the church. In the event no eligible requests for grants are received in any given year, that year’s earnings on the fund will be added to the principal of the fund.

The We Raise Foundation – O.P. Kretzmann Memorial Fund Grant carries a maximum award of $10,000. Applications for this grant shall be submitted to the Office of the Provost. Generally, all supporting documents are due by the last week of November. Specific dates can be found on the deadlines web page.

The grant will not be awarded for any project that in any way contributes toward the attainment of a degree. The grant recipient shall file a detailed report of their work by October 1 following the year for which the award was granted. A copy shall also be filed with We Raise Foundation and the researcher’s department.