INDIANAPOLIS (AP) _ Eight Indiana schools are among 82 private, four-year colleges and universities nationwide that will share nearly $45 million in grants from the Lilly Endowment Inc. to develop youth theology institutes.

The Indianapolis-based endowment announced the grants Monday as part of its effort to identify and cultivate theologically minded youth who will become leaders in their churches and society.

The endowment says the 82 grantees are creating summer institutes and other programs to encourage young people to study theology and examine how their faith calls them to lives of service.

The Indiana schools include Goshen, Holy Cross and St. Mary's colleges; Huntington, Indiana Wesleyan, Marian and Taylor universities; and the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne.