1. How many proposals does the Foundation fund each year?
  2. Does the Foundation fund non-U.S. organizations?
  3. Does the Foundation fund individuals?
  4. What is the average size and duration of your grants?
  5. Does the Foundation provide challenge grants?
  6. Does the Foundation have particular funding areas?
  7. Does the Foundation fund buildings/renovation/capital campaigns?
  8. Does the Foundation fund direct service programs?
  9. Does the Foundation fund scholarships, fellowships, or dissertation support?
  10. Does the Foundation provide general operating support to organizations?
  11. Does the Foundation provide disaster relief?
  12. Does the Foundation support environmental programs?
  13. Does the Foundation support bioethics research or scholarship?
  14. Should I arrange to call or email someone at the Foundation to discuss my project idea?
  15. Should I visit the Foundation before submitting a proposal?
  16. Can I submit a concept paper?
  17. Does the Foundation award planning grants?
  18. Does the Foundation have a formal application form?
  19. How do I submit a proposal?

  1. How many proposals does the Foundation fund each year?
    The number of grants made annually has varied:
    • In 2004 the Foundation received 503 proposals and awarded 252 grants.
    • In 2005, the Foundation received 457 proposals and awarded 202 grants.
    • In 2006, the Foundation received 456 proposals and awarded 238 grants.

  2. Does the Foundation fund non-U.S. organizations?
    Yes. The John Templeton Foundation is an international grant-making organization.

  3. Does the Foundation fund individuals?
    Because of IRS regulations, the Foundation strongly prefers to fund projects that are affiliated with an institution (typically a university, research institution or other non-profit organization.) Whenever possible, we encourage individuals to link with an appropriate institution that will assist by administering the grant. There are cases, however, when this is not practical or possible and the Foundation will make a grant to an individual.

  4. What is the average size and duration of your grants?
    In 2006, the Foundation's average grant size was $309,926. However our grants can range from $1,000 to $5,000,000 depending on the project. The duration of our grants can range from a few months to three years or in some instances four or five years.

  5. Does the Foundation provide challenge grants?
    Yes, the Foundation welcomes proposals in which there is an expectation that our support will be matched by other funding sources.

  6. Does the Foundation have particular funding areas?
    Yes, the Foundation is guided by a Charter established by our founder, Sir John Templeton. Please visit our website to learn more about our Core Themes and Funding Areas.

  7. Does the Foundation fund buildings/renovation/capital campaigns?
    No, the Foundation does not fund Building/Renovation/Capital Campaigns.

  8. Does the Foundation fund direct service programs?
    No, the Foundation does not fund Direct Service Programs.

  9. Does the Foundation fund scholarships, fellowships, or dissertation support?
    No, the Foundation does not fund Scholarships, Fellowships or Dissertation Support.

  10. Does the Foundation provide general operating support to organizations?
    No, the Foundation does not provide General Operating Support to organizations.

  11. Does the Foundation provide disaster relief?
    No, the Foundation does not provide Disaster Relief.

  12. Does the Foundation support environmental programs?
    The Foundation does not offer funding in the well-established academic field of environmental ethics, for which there is already a great deal of existing activity, enthusiasm and philanthropic support. This does not imply that proposals which include coverage of environmental ethics will simply be declined. Not at all; the issues raised within this field are vital and important. However, proposals will not qualify for review without exhibiting a substantial and clear engagement with the theological, religious, and/or spiritual dimension of this topical area.

  13. Does the Foundation support bioethics research or scholarship?
    The Foundation does not offer funding in the well-established academic field of bioethics for which there is already a great deal of existing activity, enthusiasm and philanthropic support. This does not imply that proposals which include coverage of bioethics will simply be declined. Not at all; the issues raised within this field are vital and important. However, proposals will not qualify for review without exhibiting a substantial and clear engagement with the theological, religious, and/or spiritual dimension of this topical area.

  14. Should I arrange to call or email someone at the Foundation to discuss my project idea?
    No. The Foundation invites you to submit an Online Funding Inquiry. This first step will enable you to describe your proposed project. Should the Foundation be interested in your project an invitation to submit a Full Proposal will be extended.

  15. Should I visit the Foundation before submitting a proposal?
    Visits to the Foundation are rarely necessary and only by request.

  16. Can I submit a concept paper?
    No. However, the Foundation invites you to submit an Online Funding Inquiry. Similar to a Concept Paper/Letter of Intent, this online form allows you to submit a brief description of your project idea to the Foundation. Should the Foundation be interested in your project an invitation to submit a Full Proposal will be extended.

  17. Does the Foundation award planning grants?
    At this time the Foundation does not have the capacity to award Planning Grants.

  18. Does the Foundation have a formal application form?
    Yes. The Foundation has a required Online Funding Inquiry form that allows requests for funding to be reviewed by the Foundation. Should the Foundation be interested in your project an invitation to submit a Full Proposal will be extended via email.

  19. How do I submit a proposal?
    All proposal submissions are by Invitation Only. You may submit an Online Funding Inquiry for the Foundation's review. Should the Foundation be interested in your project an invitation to submit a Full Proposal will be extended via email, along with the Foundation's Proposal Application form.
Submitting a Proposal