The most relevant and predominant research fields of the recent period include the history of ancient Middle-Eastern religions, science and religion, Estonian church history, and modern religious trends. Cooperation is supported by the Research Group on the History of Church and Religion in Estonia and the Collegium of Science and Religion, both founded at the theological faculty. In addition to these main research areas, notable contributions have been made in the study of the Old and New Testaments, psychology of religion, the study of Inca religion, Islamic studies, Judaic studies, classical systematic theology, practical theology, and religious education.
The list of ongoing and completed projects in Estonian Research Information System.
The Emergence of the Biblical Book of Job on the Backdrop of the so-called Job Literature
Period: 01.01.2020–31.12.2024
Estonian Research Council PRG938
Principal investigator: Urmas Nõmmik
Period: 01.01.2022–31.12.2026
Estonian Research Council PRG1599
Principal investigator: Irina Paert
Compilation and Publication of a Book on Japan-Estonia Relations
Period: 01.10.2023–20.12.2024
Ministry of Foreign Affairs SHVUS23577
Principal investigator: Elo Süld
Period: 01.11.2022–31.10.2026
European Commission MHVUS22427R (101061483)
Principal investigator: Elo Süld
Russia and China's Influence in Central Asia: Europe's Prospects, Concerns and Search for Balance
Period: 05.07.2023–05.07.2024
Ministry of Foreign Affairs SHVUS23368
Principal investigators: Elo Süld, Alevtina Solovyeva
China's and India's Foreign Policy and Sustainable Development in the New Geopolitical Context
Period: 05.07.2023–05.07.2024
Ministry of Foreign Affairs SHVUS23369
Principal investigator: Elo Süld
Patristilised piibli ja piibli tõlgendamise sissejuhatused (introductiones)
Period: 01.09.2022–31.08.2024
Estonian Research Council STP4
Principal investigator: Tarmo Toom
Period: 23.05.2022–19.04.2023
Ministry of Foreign Affairs SHVUS22284
Principal investigator: Elo Süld
The Political, Economic and Cultural Role of Asia for Northern and Eastern Europe
Period: 18.04.2022–17.04.2023
Ministry of Foreign Affairs SHVUS22211
Principal investigator: Elo Süld
Development of Tartu University's Research Cooperation with Singaporean Universities and Companies
Period: 16.09.2022–09.12.2022
Ministry of Foreign Affairs SHVUS22456
Principal investigator: Elo Süld
Religion and Gender Equality: Baltic and Nordic Developments (ReliGen)
Period: 01.01.2021–31.12.2023
Research Council of Lithuania, EAA and Norway Grants MHVUS21035
Principal investigator: Anne Kull
Period: 01.03.2021–28.02.2023
Estonian Research Council PUTJD1020
Principal investigator: Indrek Peedu
Period: 01.01.2021–31.12.2021
Estonian Research Council PRG1274
Principal investigator: Irina Paert
Compilation of a Book on the History of Estonian-Japanese Relations
Period: 16.04.2020–29.02.2024
Ministry of Foreign Affairs SHVUS20231
Principal investigator: Elo Süld
Disengagement and Desistance: A Systematic Review
Period: 01.02.2020–31.07.2020
Centre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats
Principal investigator: Heidi Maiberg
Period: 01.02.2019–31.01.2020
University of Tartu, Basic Research PHVUS18916
Principal investigator: Irina Paert
Period: 01.09.2019–31.08.2021
Estonian Research Council MOBJD517
Principal investigator: Catherine Helen Gibson
Tackling Sensitive Issues in Classroom (SensiClass)
Period: 31.12.2019–30.08.2022
Archimedes Foundation, Erasmus DHVUS19670
Principal investigator: Elo Süld
Religious Toleration and Peace (RETOPEA)
Period: 01.05.2018–30.10.2022
European Commission, Horizon 2020 Programme MHVUS18050R
Principal investigator: Lea Altnurme
Understanding Unbelief in Estonia
Period: 01.04.2018–30.06.2019
John Templeton Foundation MHVUS18229
Principal investigator: Atko-Sulhan Remmel
Period: 25.01.2018–31.12.2021
NGO Vaikuseminutid LHVUS18115
Principal investigator: Kristel Põder
Forms of Creativity in the Intellectual History of Ancient Mesopotamia
Period: 01.01.2017–31.12.2020
Estonian Research Council PUT1466
Principal investigator: Amar Annus
Replenishment of Basic Definitions in the Glossary of Religious Studies
Period: 01.03.2017–31.12.2017
Estonian Association for Applied Linguistics SHVUS17273
Principal investigator: Tarmo Kulmar
Altar and Classroom: the Orthodox Schools in the Baltic Provinces 1870-1914
Period: 01.01.2014–31.12.2017
Estonian Research Council PUT428
Principal investigator: Irina Paert
Period: 01.01.2014–31.12.2017
Estonian Research Council PUT500
Principal investigator: Peeter Espak
Cultural and Religious Diversity in Primary School
Period: 2014–2017
Foundation for Baltic and East European Studies
Principal investigator: Olga Schihalejev
Period: 01.01.2012–31.12.2015
Estonian Research Council ETF9108
Principal investigator: Olga Schihalejev
Formal and Theological Markers of Religious Groups in the Late Old Testament and Related Literature
Period: 01.01.2012–31.12.2015
Estonian Research Council ETF9279
Principal investigator: Urmas Nõmmik
Ecumenical Commission of Theological Terminology
Period: 01.07.2011–31.12.2011
Estonian Terminology Society SUSUS11101
Principal investigator: Riho Altnurme
Period: 01.01.2011–31.12.2016
Ministry of Education and Research SF0180026s11
Principal investigator: Riho Altnurme
Uku Masing's and Arthur Võõbus' Scientific Heritage
Period: 2011–2015
University of Tartu
Principal investigators: Urmas Nõmmik, Amar Annus
Teaching Religion and Thinking Education at the Baltic-Barent Brim
Period: 2010–2014
Foundation for Baltic and East European Studies
Principal investigator: Olga Schihalejev
Mapping and Research of the Historical-Cultural Heritage of the Estonian Exile Churches in North American Archives, part 1, 2, 3 and 4
Period: 2010–2014
Ministry of Education and Research, National Archives of Estonia
Principal investigator: Riho Altnurme
Religion in Biocultural Paradigm
Period: 2009–2013
Metanexus Institute
Principal investigator: Anne Kull
Religious dimension of Societal and Cultural Processes in Estonian Recent History
Period: 2009–2010
University of Tartu
Principal investigator: Riho Altnurme
Centre of Excellence in Cultural Theory
Period: 01.02.2008–31.08.2015
Archimedes Foundation RFLAJTIPP
Principal investigators: Anne Kull, Riho Altnurme, Pille Valk †
Period: 01.01.2008–31.12.2011
Estonian Science Foundation ETF7712
Principal investigator: Thomas Kämmerer
Period: 15.05.2007–31.12.2009
Estonian Council of Churches SUSUS07089
Principal investigator: Riho Altnurme
Early Christianity in the Context of the Late Antiquity and its Impact on Today
Period: 01.01.2006–31.12.2008
Estonian Science Foundation ETF6754
Principal investigator: Peeter Roosimaa
The Relations Between Religion and the State in Early Totalitarian Society
Period: 01.01.2006–31.12.2009
Estonian Science Foundation ETF6626
Principal investigator: Tarmo Kulmar
Period: 01.01.2006–31.12.2009
Estonian Science Foundation ETF6625
Principal investigator: Amar Annus
The Relations between the Church and the State in Estonia on the 20th Century
Period: 01.01.2006–31.12.2009
Estonian Science Foundation ETF6624
Principal investigator: Riho Altnurme
Period: 01.03.2006–28.02.2009
European Commission 6. Framework Programme (FP6) MUSUS06024R
Principal investigator: Pille Valk †
Dialogue of Religion and Science
Period: 2006–2007
University of Tartu
Principal investigator: Anne Kull
Period: 01.01.2005–31.12.2008
Estonian Science Foundation ETF6042
Principal investigator: Urmas Petti †
Religiosity Dynamics in Civilisation
Period: 01.01.2003–31.12.2007
Ministry of Education and Research SF0182580s03
Principal investigator: Kalle Kasemaa
Theoretical and Practical Problems of Religious Education in Estonian Schools
Period: 01.01.2004–31.12.2007
Estonian Science Foundation ETF5839
Principal investigator: Pille Valk †
Religion in Totalitarian States of Ancient and Medieval Times
Period: 01.01.2003–31.12.2005
Estonian Science Foundation ETF5374
Principal investigator: Tarmo Kulmar
Religion ja Totalitarism in Estonian Recent Histrory
Period: 01.01.2003–31.12.2007
Ministry of Education and Research SF0182580s03
Principal investigator: Tarmo Kulmar
Structure and Development of Theological and Religious Vocabulary in Estonian
Period: 01.01.2002–31.12.2005
Estonian Science Foundation ETF5292
Principal investigator: Siret Rutiku
History of Estonian Theological Thought
Period: 01.01.2002–31.12.2005
Estonian Science Foundation ETF5194
Principal investigator: Riho Altnurme
Homiletics in the Perspective of Communication Theory
Period: 01.01.2002–31.12.2004
Estonian Science Foundation ETF5238
Principal investigator: Tõnu Lehtsaar
Churches and European Integration
Period: 2001–2004
European Commission FP5
Principal investigator: Riho Altnurme
Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Soviet state 1950–1969
Period: 2001–2004
Estonian Research Council
Principal investigator: Riho Altnurme
Development of a Modern Concept of Religious Education for Estonian General Education Schools
Period: 01.01.2001–31.12.2002
Estonian Research Council ETF4634
Principal investigator: Pille Valk †
The Role of Religion in Ancient Totalitarian States (Based on the Example of the Inca State)
Period: 01.01.2001–31.12.2002
Estonian Research Council ETF4893
Principal investigator: Tarmo Kulmar
Proportional Attitudes: Attributed Objectivity
Period: 2000–2001
Estonian Research Council
Principal investigator: Jaan Kivistik
Christology in Lutheran and Eastern Orthodox Theology
Period: 01.01.1999–31.12.2002
Estonian Research Council ETF3997
Principal investigator: Alar Laats
The History and Modern Influence of the Dorpat School of the Psychology of Religion
Period: 1999–2000
Estonian Research Council
Principal investigator: Tõnu Lehtsaar
Socio-Cultural Functions of Religion
Period: 01.01.1998–31.12.2003
Ministry of Education and Research SF0180408s98
Principal investigator: Kalle Kasemaa
Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Soviet State 1944–1949
Period: 1999–2000
Estonian Research Council
Principal investigator: Riho Altnurme
Development of a Methodology of Pastoral Diagnostics
Period: 1997–1998
Estonian Research Council
Principal investigator: Tõnu Lehtsaar
The Structure and Development of the Religion of Ancient Peru from the Chavin Culture to the Beginning of the 16th Century
Period: 1996–1997
Estonian Research Council
Principal investigator: Tarmo Kulmar
Changes in Estonian Religion Through Communication with Indo-European Nations
Period: 1994
Estonian Research Council
Principal investigator: Tarmo Kulmar