How to apply
ACN’s Mission and Support
ACN supports Church-led projects worldwide, offering pastoral and spiritual aid to Catholics
Eligible Projects
ACN focuses on projects that support the evangelization efforts of the Catholic Church worldwide. Projects must have local bishop or religious superior approval. Focused on the Catholic Church’s welfare, ACN funds initiatives with a faith-centered, pastoral purpose. Projects with a primary social aim, such as those in education and healthcare, are generally not supported.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants must be ecclesiastical authorities of the Catholic Church, including parish, diocesan, and national levels for local churches, or provincial and international levels for religious institutions or lay communities. All applications must include a written approval from the local bishop or religious superior.
Types of projects
ACN supports various pastoral projects
Typical projects supported include:
- Formation of priests and religious
- Training of catechists and lay pastoral workers
- Means of transport for pastoral work
- Construction or renovation aid for churches and related pastoral buildings
- Media apostolate
- Bibles, catechisms and basic religious literature
- Pastoral programmes for specific target groups
- Existence aid for religious sisters
- Mass stipends for priests
ACN does not fund:
- Humanitarian and socio-economic development
- Building schools and hospitals
- Private living, medical and schooling expenses
- Salaries
- Open-ended subsidies or recurrent costs
- Endowment funds
- Projects already completed
- Repaying debts
- Purchase of land
Application Process
Project Description
- Provide a detailed description of the pastoral context and the impact of the proposed solution.
- Complete the necessary forms found in the Forms Section
Supporting Documents
- Recommendation letter from the competent ecclesiastical authority.
- Detailed cost estimate for project implementation.
- Financing plan showing local contributions and requests to other funding agencies.
- Photos and testimonies from the local Church are highly appreciated.
- Additional documents may be required for specific types of projects (e.g., construction, vehicles).
Submission
- Submit the application via email to the appropriate regional contact
- For scholarship requests, refer to the specific scholarship page
- Expect a reply within approximately 3 months. For pastoral programs or formation courses, submit requests at least 3 months before activities begin.
Reporting for Approved Projects
Acknowledge receipt of the grant immediately.
Provide a narrative description of the pastoral benefits achieved.
Submit a complete financial report with a list of expenses and related costs.
Include copies of invoices and receipts.
Send photos (minimum 1MB) showing the project’s resume
Apply for aid
We are here to help you
ACN International
Aid to the Church in Need gGmbH
Postfach 1209
D-61452 Königstein/Ts. GERMANY
projects@acn-intl.org
+49 6174 291-0