In 2015, the Foundation launched the Pro Oriente Summer Course project. This is an annual academic event that takes place at the Cardinal König House in Vienna each academic summer semester and is aimed at early career scholars and students of theological, historical, and social science disciplines whose academic work is linked to questions of ecumenism and studies of the Eastern Church.

Building upon this, the new Pro Oriente Emerging Scholars Pogram (PO-ES) supports early-career researchers in theology and related fields who are working on a research project at the master's, doctoral, or habilitation level. Applicants should be early in their academic careers (age limit of 40, with exceptions possible upon request).

Combining an online phase with an in-person component, the program offers a unique opportunity for international scholarly exchange and formation. PO-ES is jointly organized by Pro Oriente and the Department of Catholic Theology at the University of Regensburg (Chair of Medieval and Modern Church History). Participants who successfully complete the program will receive 4 ECTS credit points along with a certificate of participation issued by Pro Oriente.

The program will launch in fall 2026, with further details to be published in September 2026.

Organizers

Prof. Dr. Andrea Riedl (Regensburg)
Prof. Dr. Pablo Argárate (Graz)
Dr. Viola Raheb (Pro Oriente)

Former Summer Courses

Ecumenism and Learning – Summer Course 2024

From September 2–5, 2024 the PRO ORIENTE Summer Course took place in Vienna, engaging with the topic "Ecumenism and Learning". A short video can be accessed here.

Furhter information is available here.