( Added: June 1, 2009 ) - Religion Newswriters invites all working journalists, regardless of beat, to apply to its Lilly Scholarships in Religion program. The scholarships give full-time journalists up to $5,000 to cover the cost of taking college religion courses.

With religion in the headlines more than ever, now is the perfect time to dig deeper into today's hottest religion stories. More than 100 people have already taken advantage of Religion Newswriters' Lilly Scholarships in Religion Program for Journalists.

Some of the timely topics they've studied include: God & Politics, Culture of the Contemporary Arab World, Islamic Movements, Understanding Japanese Religions, Science & Religion and Evangelism.

"This class has made me a better journalist by expanding my knowledge base, challenging my own assumptions and helping me understand the context of contemporary religious issues," said Diane Haag, religion reporter, The Times (Shreveport, La.).

The scholarships can be used at any accredited college, university, seminary or similar institution. Journalists can take any course they choose as long as it is in the field of religion. Scholarships cover tuition, books, registration fees, parking and other costs. Online and travel courses are also included (as long as travel costs are a part of the curriculum).

All full-time journalists--including reporters, editors, designers, copy editors, editorial writers, news directors, researchers and producers--are eligible, regardless of whether or not they cover religion.

This year's scholarship application deadlines are July 1 and Oct. 1

Scholarships must be used within three academic quarters of their award date. Only full-time journalists working in the general circulation news media are eligible.

Religion Newswriters Association is the world's only journalism association for people who write about religion in the mainstream news media. The scholarships are offered through its non-profit arm, the Religion Newswriters Foundation, with funding from the Lilly Endowment, Inc.

Complete information about the Lilly Scholarships in Religion program is available at www.religionwriters.com/training/lilly-scholarships-in-religion-for-journalists. For questions, contact Amy Schiska at 614-891-9001 ext. 3#, or Schiska@RNA.org.