"This program helped me learn about the rich intellectual Catholic tradition that has influenced modern thought—from 19th century encyclicals on economics and sociology, to the contemporary role of the Catholic Church in Uganda!"
Marco Izzia, 2022-23 CSPT Fellow
APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN FOR 2025-26 CSPT FELLOWS! 
Are you interested in leading as you learn about the Catholic intellectual tradition? Do you want to know more about Catholic contributions to civilization in philosophy, political thought, literature, and law?
The CSLD’s Catholic Social and Political Thought (CSPT) initiative offers a unique opportunity for students from all undergraduate majors and areas of graduate and professional study to pursue academic interests related to knowledge and appreciation of Catholic heritage, including Catholic social and political thought, history, law, religion, architecture, art, music, and literature. The CSPT program allows students to conjoin their UW-Madison academic experience and projected career paths with Catholicism’s rich intellectual, moral, and cultural heritage.
Each year we select up to twelve CSPT Fellows to serve as leaders in the program. In addition to being active participants in two or more areas of CSPT programming (including reading groups, dinners and other small group discussions with visiting sc
holars, cultural excursions, and academic conferences), fellows serve as liaisons, helping to plan and publicize events throughout the academic year and ensuring the program appeals to a wide range of students. Student fellows have the opportunity to converse with each other and other CSPT students, and to engage with scholars, intellectuals, and public figures studying and engaging with the Catholic tradition. Throughout the year, fellows are invited to help plan, promote, and participate in events designed to enhance their understanding of different aspects of the Catholic tradition and heritage, and to apply for national summer fellowships and other learning opportunities. Fellows are asked to commit to participating regularly in different CSPT events/learning opportunities, and to take leadership in at least one aspect of the program. Fellows are appointed for a full academic year (one-semester appointments are made on a case-by-case basis), and receive a stipend of $1500 upon completion of the program.
Applications for 2025-26 Fellows open May 19th. Offers will be made on a rolling basis through early fall. All enrolled UW-Madison undergraduates (including rising freshmen), graduate, and professional school students in any program of study, from any religious or non-religious tradition, are invited to apply. Please direct questions to Professor Cecelia Klingele at cklingele@wisc.edu.