PHILADELPHIA -- In effort to foster the constructive engagement of science and religion, Metanexus Institute held an annual conference, “Science and Religion in Context,” June 5-9, on the campus of University of Pennsylvania and awarded $10,000 each to eighteen outstanding religious and non-religious educational institutions around the world.

The awards were presented by the Local Societies Initiative (LSI), a project of the Metanexus Institute June 8, during the closing banquet at the conference.

The LSI grant program, which is being supported by the John Templeton Foundation and other participating educational and religious institutions around the world, was created to provide organizational and programming support for dynamic associations of scientists, theologians, clergy, philosophers, and others interested in exploring issues arising at the intersection of science and religion.

There are over 100 dialogue societies from 28 nations of six continents that share the LSI network. LSI societies are found on the campuses of seminaries; private religious schools; major research universities; elite liberal arts colleges; for-profit educational institutions; state universities; graduate academies; and faith communities.

Over the past four years of its operation, LSI has driven $3,00,000 in support of the science and religion dialogue, growing to be the most diverse broadly competent, and dynamic association of academics, clergy, and intellectuals around the world, who are striving to bring solutions to the challenges they face in connecting science and religion.

The 2004 LSI Grant Prizes, supplemental to the basic program grants every society is awarded, were presented by Dr. Eric Weislogel, Director of the Local Societies Initiative, and LSI Program Associate Barbara Bole to in recognition of organizational excellence, creative programming for their communities, and significant contributions to the larger science and religion movement.