Torrey M. Johnson Research Grant

Grant Information

In 2007, the Torrey family established the Torrey M. Johnson, Sr. Scholarship fund to support the work of the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center, specifically in the areas of evangelism training and research. For visitors using the Archives' collections, the Torrey M. Johnson Research Grant offers financial assistance for research projects that intersect with the history of evangelism, North American evangelicalism, or global missions.

Purpose of the Grant

Grants may be used to cover travel and living expenses for researchers visiting Wheaton Archives & Special Collections to study the history or practice of Christian evangelism, global missions, or North American Evangelicalism. The Torrey M. Johnson Grant supports a wide variety of research projects, whether intended for scholarly publication, ministry development, or personal enrichment.

Grant Guidelines

Grant applications will be considered on a biannual basis. Award amounts may vary based on relevance of the research topic to the archival collections. Grant applications should be for no more than USD $1000.00. Please contact archives staff for more information and a copy of the grant application.

Criteria for Successful Grant Applications

• Research topics must intersect with the history and/or practice of Christian evangelism, global missions, or North American evangelicalism.
• Preference will be given to researchers who demonstrate high financial need.
• Preference will given to applicants in full-time Christian ministry.
• Applicants must live at least 75 miles from Wheaton, Illinois.
• Applicants must not be a current or incoming student or employee of Wheaton College.
• Applicants must be 18 years or older.

Type of Applicants

The Archives & Special Collections especially welcomes applications from students in graduate level thesis and doctoral programs. Undergraduate students and individuals pursuing non-scholarly projects are also encouraged to apply and will receive full consideration.

Application Schedule

Applications can be submitted for two separate application cycles per calendar year:

• Applications open January 1– March 15 for visits May 1–October 31.
  Applicants will be notified no later than April 1.
• Applications open July 1– September 15 for visits November 1–April 20.
  Applicants will be notified no later than October 1.

Next application cycle opens on January 1, 2027. No applications will be reviewed for the Fall 2026 cycle.

Needed for Reimbursement

Research grants will be made in the form of reimbursement for expenses. Recipients will be required to submit receipts for approved expenses and a 1-2 page report detailing their research process and findings. Grant recipients will then receive a check or deposit in U.S. dollars within 60 days after these materials are received by the Archives & Special Collections.

Dates of Research Visit

Grant recipients must indicate their intended dates of visit on the grant application and must communicate with Archives & Special Collections staff members in the event their research visit dates change.

Grant Eligibility

Applicants are welcome to apply for the Torrey M. Johnson Research Grant more than once. Only one grant per person per 24-month period will be awarded. For instance, a researcher who receives a grant in June 2026 will not be eligible again until July 2028.

Additional Requirements

• Applicants must have or obtain a valid SSN or ITIN before their scheduled visit.
• Applicants must consent to contribute a photograph (or to be photographed in the Reading Room) and a short summary of their work and/or research to be featured in an annual blog post from the Archives featuring the Torrey Johnson Research Grant scholars.