Core Themes
In the Charter establishing his philanthropy, John Templeton expresses that his Foundation should serve as a philanthropic catalyst for research on concepts and realities such as love, gratitude, forgiveness and creativity. Twenty years later, the Foundation continues to fund rigorous scientific research and related cutting-edge scholarship on a wide spectrum of "Core Themes."
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Natural Sciences
The Foundation welcomes proposals that seek to advance discovery in areas engaging life's biggest questions. These areas include questions on the laws of nature and the nature of the universe.
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Human Sciences
The Foundation welcomes proposals that seek to advance discovery in areas engaging life's biggest questions. These areas include questions on the nature and benefits of love, gratitude, forgiveness and other Core Themes within the human sciences domain.
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Philosophy & Theology
The Foundation welcomes proposals that seek to advance discovery in areas engaging life's biggest questions. These areas include philosophical and theological questions related to our Core Themes.
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Character Development
In the Charter establishing his philanthropy, John Templeton expresses that his Foundation should serve as a philanthropic catalyst for research and education on specific concepts and Core Themes that relate to the domain of character development.
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Freedom & Free Enterprise
In the Charter establishing his philanthropy, John Templeton expresses that his Foundation should serve as a philanthropic catalyst for research and education on the nature and benefits of freedom and free enterprise and related Core Themes.
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Gifted Education
In the Charter establishing his philanthropy, John Templeton expresses that his Foundation should serve as a philanthropic catalyst for research and education on the identification, nurturing and recognition of mathematically and scientifically gifted young people.
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World Religions
The Foundation welcomes applications from all perspectives of world religions and has particular interest in research from non-Christian and non-Western perspectives. Our philanthropic vision is focused on the sponsorship of scientific research involving interactions of religious thought and practices and scientific research methods.
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Funding Areas