The John Templeton Foundation (JTF) Grants Programme supports innovative research and public engagement initiatives that explore fundamental questions about science, human flourishing, life, purpose, spirituality, discovery and the nature of reality.
The foundation funds bold, interdisciplinary ideas from researchers, institutions and organisations seeking to challenge conventional assumptions and generate new knowledge.
Grant Programme Overview
Organisation: John Templeton Foundation
Funding Type: Research and Public Engagement Grants
Focus Areas:
- Scientific research
- Interdisciplinary studies
- Public engagement initiatives
- Human flourishing research
- Life sciences
- Mathematical and physical sciences
- Religion, science and society
Eligible Applicants: Researchers, universities, nonprofit organisations and institutions
Funding Model: Project-based grants
About the John Templeton Foundation Grants
The John Templeton Foundation invests in projects that investigate big questions at the intersection of:
- Science
- Philosophy
- Human potential
- Society
- Spirituality
- Discovery
The foundation supports projects that cross traditional academic boundaries and encourage collaboration between different disciplines.
Funded projects aim to:
- Expand knowledge
- Encourage curiosity
- Improve understanding of humanity and the universe
- Connect scientific discoveries with broader societal questions
Current Funding Areas
1. Life Sciences
The Life Sciences funding area supports research exploring biological systems, life processes and questions related to living organisms.
Examples of funded research include:
Agency, Directionality, and Function: Foundations for a Science of Purpose
Project Leader: Alan Love
Grantee: Regents of the University of Minnesota
This project explores concepts related to:
- Biological agency
- Directionality
- Goal-directed behaviour
- Purpose in living systems
The research combines:
- Philosophy
- Theoretical modelling
- Experimental biology
to develop new frameworks for understanding biological functions.
2. Religion, Science, and Society
This funding area supports research examining how:
- Religious beliefs
- Spiritual practices
- Cultural traditions
influence human flourishing and society.
Projects explore connections between:
- Religion and science
- Human values
- Social development
- Meaning and purpose
3. Mathematical & Physical Sciences
The foundation supports research exploring fundamental questions about:
- Physics
- Mathematics
- The universe
- Natural systems
One example is:
Life On The Edge: Quantum Thermodynamics, Quantum Biology and the Arrow of Time
Project Leaders:
- Jim Al-Khalili
- Andrea Rocco
Grantee: University of Surrey
The project investigates questions around:
- Time asymmetry
- Quantum processes
- The relationship between physics and biological systems
Major Grant Example
Global Flourishing Study
Project Leaders:
- Byron Johnson
- Tyler VanderWeele
Grantee: Baylor University
The Global Flourishing Study is a major international research collaboration involving:
- Harvard University
- Baylor University
- Gallup
- Center for Open Science
The initiative involves:
- Approximately 240,000 participants
- 22 countries
- Longitudinal data collection
Countries involved include:
- Kenya
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- Tanzania
- United States
- United Kingdom
- India
- Brazil
- Japan
- Australia
The research examines factors influencing human flourishing across diverse cultural contexts.
Who Can Apply?
The foundation typically supports:
- Universities
- Research institutions
- Nonprofit organisations
- Academic researchers
- Interdisciplinary research teams
Applicants should propose projects aligned with one or more of the foundation’s funding areas.
Types of Projects Supported
Funding may support:
Research Projects
Including:
- Scientific studies
- Academic research
- Interdisciplinary investigations
- Data collection initiatives
Public Engagement Projects
Projects designed to:
- Share research findings
- Increase public understanding
- Encourage curiosity and learning
Collaborative Research Initiatives
Projects bringing together experts from multiple fields, such as:
- Scientists
- Philosophers
- Social researchers
- Humanities scholars
How to Apply
Applicants can submit grant proposals through the John Templeton Foundation grant application process.
Application resources include:
- Grant application guidelines
- Grant database
- Grant FAQs
- Grant calendar
Why This Funding Opportunity Is Valuable
John Templeton Foundation grants provide opportunities for researchers and organisations working on ambitious questions that require:
- Innovative thinking
- Cross-disciplinary collaboration
- Long-term research approaches
- Global perspectives
The foundation is particularly interested in projects that generate new insights into science, humanity and human flourishing.
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