Society of Biblical Literature
Regional Scholars Program
30 March 2008

Purpose. The Society of Biblical Literature Regional Scholar Award was developed by the SBL Council of Regional Coordinators to recognize and promote promising entry-level scholars in the field of biblical studies. Its objective is to encourage their intellectual development and to lend practical assistance by providing venues in which to present their work at the Society's Regional and Annual Meetings.

Eligibility. Applicants for the SBL Regional Scholars Program must be at least ABD and no more than four years past the receipt of their Ph.D. A candidate may apply from only one Region of the Society per year, and must have presented a paper at that annual Regional Meeting. Scholars who meet these qualifications and who wish the EGLBS to consider their nomination for this award should notify their EGLBS section chairs at the time they submit their paper proposals. (See below for application procedure.)

Criteria. Each Region of the Society of Biblical Literature may nominate one candidate for the Regional Scholar Award. When evaluating candidates’ paper submissions, the criteria to be considered will include (where appropriate):

  1. Knowledge of scholarly resources and publications;
  2. Knowledge of the relevant languages;
  3. Knowledge of the primary sources;
  4. Ability to think critically;
  5. Ability to use scholarship critically by following the argument and evaluating its foundations and the validity of the reasoning;
  6. Clarity of writing style; and
  7. Originality of fresh ideas without far-fetched speculation.

If no applicant satisfies the committee’s expectations, then no Regional Scholar candidate will be nominated.

Regional Selection Process. The EGLBS Regional Scholars Selection Committee is elected by the members at the EGLBS Annual Meeting. It is the responsibility of this committee to select a Regional Scholar candidate for consideration by the SBL CRC National Regional Scholars Committee. The EGLBS Regional Scholars Selection Committee will make their evaluation based on the following data:

  1. Observation of the applicant's presentation (by at least one committee member) at the EGLBS Annual Meeting .
  2. Verification of the applicant's eligiblity; and
  3. Assessment of the ms. of the applicant's paper (as well as a copy of the powerpoint presentation, if applicable)

Should no submission meet the standards of the Regional Scholar Award, no EGLBS candidate will be nominated for that year.

National Selection Process. Regional nominations for the Regional Scholar Award are reviewed by a National Selection Committee of the SBL Council for Regional Coordinators, who make the final selection. The SBL CRC Convenor will notify all nominees (and their Regional Coordinators) of the status of their candidacies no later than August 31 of the year in which they are nominated. In addition to the recognition and honor of being selected, each Regional Scholar will receive an award in the amount of $1000.00 to facilitate attendance at the Annual Meeting. To receive this monetary award, the scholar must be registered for the Annual Meeting of the following calendar year, attend the Council of Regional Coordinators dinner, and provide a three- or four-minute synopsis of her/his paper at the dinner.

Once chosen, Regional Scholars may, under the auspices of the program, choose a mentor to provide advice concerning their paper in preparation for the Annual Meeting and/or for publication. Officers of the Regions from which the Regional Scholars are chosen will assist with extending an invitation to a mentor, if necessary.

Application. Scholars who meet the qualifications may nominate the paper they will be presenting at the Regional Meeting. When proposing the paper for the Regional Conference, notify the appropriate Section Chair that, if the proposal is accepted, you would like to be considered for the Regional Scholar Award.

Once the paper has been accepted for presentation at the EGLBS annual meeting, submit a complete application packet to the EGLBS Secretary-Treasurer. Applications may be submitted electronically or in print form; if in print, three copies of the complete application should be sent. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

A complete application, due no later than March 1st before the Regional Meeting, must include:

  1. The candidate's letter of application
  2. A letter of recommendation/nomination from a scholar in the appropriate field
  3. The candidate's Curriculum Vitae
  4. A biographical paragraph suitable for inclusion in the SBL Annual Meeting Program booklet
  5. A recent photograph for inclusion in the SBL Annual Meeting Program booklet (preferably a head shot, in high-quality, non-compressed, digital form)
  6. The 10–15 page paper that will be presented at the Regional Meeting, written in the style of an oral presentation. (This means that, for example, a 25–30 page paper with lengthy footnotes reflecting a reading—not listening—format is unacceptable.) The ms. must conform to the style sheet for Proceedings: Eastern Great Lakes & Midwest Biblical Societies.
Previous Award Recipients

2008

 under evaluation

2007

 Robert H. Von Thaden, Jr., Mercyhurst College, “The Use and Abuse of the Pauline Whore: Ideological Texture and the Ethics of Reading”

2006

 Lee Johnson, Methodist Theological School in Ohio, "Paul's Epistolary Presence in Corinth: A New Look at Paul's Apostolic Parousia"

2005

 John Byron, Ashland Theological Seminary, "Living in the Shadow of Cain: Echoes of a Developing Tradition in James 5:1–6"

2004

 Eric A. Seibert, Messiah College, "Solomon's Execution Orders (1 Kgs 2:13–46): Political Propaganda or Scribal Subversion?"

2003 and earlier

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