Our Values
At the John Templeton Foundation, we are:
Humble in our approach. We are committed to the process of discovery and are willing to take risks in pursuit of knowledge. We seek diverse perspectives, and we engage with new ideas.
Intellectually rigorous. We seek to push the boundaries of scientific and spiritual understanding.
To do so requires us to be both rigorous and thorough.
Motivated to improve the lives of others. We believe people worldwide will lead purposeful lives by continuously working toward spiritual growth and a better understanding of the virtues by which they want to live.
Committed to human dignity and individual freedom. We see freedom and competition as enabling conditions that spur innovation, creativity, discovery, and the pursuit of knowledge. Free societies allow individuals and communities to live full and meaningful lives.
Our Approach to Grantmaking
Sir John Templeton established the John Templeton Foundation to make a difference in the world by funding innovative research (including in under-explored areas of work) and by publicizing information about this research to generate more enthusiasm among scholars, practitioners and other funders for new ideas and perspectives.
Our approach to grantmaking starts with Sir John’s philanthropic vision and his guidance on how to make grants. It is enriched by the new insights and perspectives that applicants submit to the Foundation for consideration year after year.
The John Templeton Foundation organizes grantmaking in distinct funding areas. We prioritize funding for initial projects lasting up to three years and projects that include substantial funding from other sources. In general, renewal or follow-up funding is possible only if the project proposal includes a detailed plan for covering more than 50% of project costs through other funding sources. Project leaders who may wish to apply for a second round of funding are encouraged to incorporate plans for raising co-funding into their first project.
Most of our grantmaking activity takes place through an open submission process. Applicants from all over the world are invited to submit ideas to the Foundation. We review every Online Funding Inquiry (typically due in August) and select projects that align with our mission and current funding priorities. From time to time, we run funding competitions and launch special, large-scale initiatives, which are often developed in collaboration with the team at the John Templeton Foundation.
Every year, we update the landing page for each funding area to communicate our current grantmaking priorities and to announce new programs.
We invite you to learn more by exploring the full range of the Foundation’s funding interests, reading Templeton Ideas, and following us on social media.
