GBHEM Launches Regional Conference Higher Education Fund
With $4 million in funding approved by the board of directors at their spring meeting, the new grant program centers on institutional development and contextual education beyond the U.S.
By Higher Education and Ministry staff
NAIROBI — At its April 8-10 meeting in Nairobi, the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) of The United Methodist Church approved a one-time $4 million allocation to create a Regional Conference Higher Education Fund (RCHEF), with potential distributions of $1 million annually for four years.
The RCHEF will strengthen United Methodist-related colleges and universities in the church’s regional conferences in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines. The fund is designed to provide support through grants focused on capacity development, facilities improvement, institutional strengthening, contextual education and long-term sustainability. GBHEM will administer the fund and work directly with episcopal areas to address regional educational priorities.
“This fund allows us to work more intentionally with higher education institutions in different contexts across the church to support education that is rooted in regional realities, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach,” said Roland Fernandes, general secretary of Higher Education and Ministry and Global Ministries. “I am glad that we are able to use agency reserves to support this initiative, which was approved by General Conference without funding set aside.”
Under the approved structure, each of the church’s 20 episcopal areas in Africa, Europe and the Philippines will be invited to apply for up to $50,000 per year. Funds may be used across multiple institutions within an episcopal area and are limited to United Methodist-related colleges and universities. The grants will not be used for theological education as theological schools are already funded by the Regional Conference Theological Education Fund (RCTEF). Grants will be awarded for one year and may be renewed for up to three years, subject to reporting requirements and available funds.
Photo by the Africa University Department of Information and Public Affairs
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