1. How do I submit a proposal?
  2. Does the Foundation have a formal application form?
  3. What should I include in my proposal?
  4. Where do I send my proposal?
  5. How many copies of my proposal should I send to the Foundation?
  6. Does the Foundation have formal funding deadlines?
  7. Can I submit my proposal via email?
  8. Can I review a copy of a successful proposal?
  9. Does the Foundation have any budget restrictions?
  10. Does the Foundation support indirect costs?
  11. How long will it take to find out if my proposal has been approved?
  12. Is it possible for me to find out about the status of my proposal?

  1. How do I submit a proposal?
    All proposal submissions are by Invitation Only. You may apply to the Foundation's Online Funding Inquiry to submit a brief description of your proposed project for review. Should the Foundation be interested in your proposed project an invitation to submit a proposal will be extended via email, along with the Foundation's Full Proposal Form.

  2. 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, and invitation to submit a Full Proposal will be extended via email, along with the Foundation's Full Proposal Form.

  3. What should I include in my proposal?
    If you are invited to submit a Full Proposal, the Foundation will email you the Full Proposal Form with details of what to include in your submission. For more information please see Submitting a Full Proposal.

  4. Where do I send my proposal?
    Should you be invited to submit a Full Proposal, the Foundation will email you the Full Proposal Form which will provide this information.

  5. How many copies of my proposal should I send to the Foundation?
    Should you be invited to submit a Full Proposal, the Foundation will email you the Full Proposal Form which will provide this information.

  6. Does the Foundation have formal funding deadlines?
    The Foundation does not have formal deadlines for receiving Online Funding Inquiries. Prospective grantees can submit an Online Funding Inquiry at any time throughout the year. If, however, you have been invited to submit a full proposal, the Foundation allows up to one year for you to submit your proposal.

  7. Can I submit my proposal via email?
    Should you be invited to submit a Full Proposal, the Foundation will email you the Full Proposal Form which will provide this information.

  8. Can I review a copy of a successful proposal?
    The Foundation does not share other people's creative work without their permission. You can be confident that we will treat your proposal similarly. If you know someone who has received Templeton funding, and who is willing to share a proposal, the Foundation has no objection.

  9. Does the Foundation have any budget restrictions?
    The Foundation does not support building construction, renovations, capital campaigns, or the purchase and maintenance of major equipment, nor does the Foundation make grants for endowments, scholarships, fellowships or general operating support. In addition, travel and lodging expenses and grant renewals are subject to the following limitations and/or requirements:
    • Travel and Lodging expenses: Travel for the purpose of project related to research and dissemination can be fully underwritten by the Foundation. However, the Foundation will only allow up to 10% of the funds received from us to be used for travel and lodging related to attending a conference. If the Foundation's potential 10% contribution will not cover travel, your proposal must explain where the additional funding will come from to cover those costs. Please note the Foundation will not fund costs related to First Class airfares for any grantees.
    • Grant Renewals: Applications for grants and programs that wish to be eligible to apply for renewal of follow-up funding, must submit written plans to receive more than half of their revenue, during the period to be covered by the renewal or follow-up funding, from funding sources other than the John Templeton Foundation.

  10. Does the Foundation support indirect costs?
    The Foundation provides overhead up to 15% of the overall grant amount. However, the Foundation welcomes proposals that request a lower percentage for overhead costs. We often find proposals with a lower percentage for overhead costs to be a more cost effective investment. The Foundation does not provide overhead on prizes and other sub-grants that may be included in a funded program or sub-contract.

  11. How long will it take to find out if my proposal has been approved?
    The Foundation requires a minimum timeframe of at least four months from the submission of a full proposal to the time funding support is needed. Please see Our Review Process for more information.

  12. Is it possible for me to find out about the status of my proposal?
    The Foundation requests that during Our Review Process you refrain from contacting the Foundation for a status update. You should receive an acknowledgement letter soon after submitting your proposal. If you do not receive such a letter within approximately four weeks of submission, you may contact the Foundation to confirm that your proposal was received. Please email grantsdept@templeton.org for this information.

    During the subsequent steps of the Foundation's Proposal Review Process a representative from the Foundation will contact you at least once every six weeks to provide you with an update on the status of your proposal.

Submitting a Proposal