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Ministry Bursary Awards
Each year Ecclesiastical’s Ministry Bursary Awards provide financial support to members of the clergy taking a sabbatical.
What are the Ecclesiastical Ministry Bursary Awards?
Ecclesiastical’s Ministry Bursary Awards (MBA) grants are awarded to individual clergy in the Anglican Church in England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and Europe. The grants are open to Ministers, Archdeacons, Bishops, Deans, and Assistants1.
The MBAs can help you breathe life into your ministerial development in ways that enrich both you and the wider church. The experience of a sabbatical can be life-changing for individual clergy and have a long-lasting impact on your congregation and community. Read case studies from previous recipients below.
Since being established in 1987, the Ecclesiastical MBAs have provided over £1.4 million to help over 1,500 members of the clergy to finance a wide range of extended leave projects and plans.
The application window is now closed for 2027 sabbaticals.
Judging will take place in November 2026, with the awards made in December 2026.
Good luck to all those currently on sabbatical or planning to be next year.
Revd Adam Dickens, a recent MBA recipient, found his experience invaluable. He expressed gratitude for the MBA grant, which enabled his sabbatical visit to Kolkata and West Bengal.
Study leave for clergy is an immensely valuable opportunity to re-energise and re-focus their calling.
"The Ministry Bursary Awards have made a significant contribution to supporting time away from the parish and a major contribution to clergy well-being and their resourcing."
1Assistants are classified as Assistant Curates, Deacons and Licensed Lay Workers including Church Army Evangelists engaged in the parochial ministry. Source: GS Misc 1399 The 52nd Report of the Central Stipends Authority Published by the Archbishops’ Council 2024
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Case studies
A sacred pause
How staying local led to fresh inspiration for Rev Claire Clarke.
Inspired by creation
Rev Debbie Lord was seeking refreshment along with new creative inspiration for her music.
An interfaith experience
The Rev Heston Groenewald, Vicar of All Hallows Church in Leeds, received a bursary to support his local interfaith ministry.
Exploring environmental projects and places
Reverend Canon Imogen Nay used her grant from the Ministry Bursary Awards to explore projects and places where a new or pioneering approach to the environment has been taken.