John Templeton Foundation offers grants in support of research and public engagement in our major Funding Areas. We invest in bold ideas from contrarian thinkers — ideas that cross disciplinary boundaries and challenge conventional assumptions. And we fund innovative programs that engage the public with these ideas, in an effort to open minds, deepen understanding, and inspire curiosity.

Funding Areas:

• Life Science- Supports projects that seek novel and fundamental insights into the meaning and significance of life processes, by which we can better understand humanity’s place within nature.

• Character Virtue Development- Research to advance the science and practice of character, with a focus on moral, performance, civic, and intellectual virtues such as humility, gratitude, curiosity, diligence, and honesty. 

• Religion, Science, & Society- This funding area will encourage research that engages substantively and critically with the sciences, including robust interdisciplinary collaborations in which philosophical or theological understanding informs the findings and methods of the sciences.

• Individual Freedom & Free Markets- Supports education, research, and outreach projects to promote individual freedom, free markets, free competition, and entrepreneurship.

• Mathematical & Physical Sciences- Support research seeking to shed light on the fundamental concepts of physical reality. We also explore the interplay between these sciences and the broader human experience.

• Public Engagement- Supports content projects that include video, audio, public events, and print media.

The grant duration is often up to three years. In rare instances, the Foundation may support a project for up to five years. The Foundation will not fund any project for more than five years.