Classical Liberal Ideas Confronting the Most Important Challenges and in Conversation with Critics: IFFM seeks proposals for innovative research projects that place the contributions of the classical liberal tradition at the heart of the most important conversations in academic and policy spheres and in dialogue with critics. We welcome interdisciplinarity and, when appropriate, multi-organizational projects.  

Some possible (but not exclusive) topics include: 

• New developments in intelligence: As part of the Foundation’s new Intelligence Venture, we encourage applicants to ask: Are the institutions of classical liberal political economy equipped to confront the challenges of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and potentially vastly new conceptions of social and economic order? What are the threats to individual freedom that AGI and expanding applications of intelligence represent, and how can freedom be protected? What opportunities for human freedom do these expansions present? How can they be harnessed?  

• The unity of freedom and freedom for persons: Is there an inherent relationship between economic, political, and civil freedoms, especially considering pressing and contemporary debates and issues? What conception of freedom best reflects the nature of the human person and the possibility of virtue and flourishing (and of cultures supportive of virtue and flourishing)? What institutions protect that freedom? Are such institutions universally relevant? How and why?

• Power centralized and decentralized: The traditional dichotomy between “government” and “markets” is breaking down, in part due to technological advances. Technology is capable of both concentrating power in the hands of a few and devolving power to individuals, communities, and smaller associations to create local solutions to local problems. But can individuals and societies find security, reliability, and comfort in that reality? What are its limits? Where are the opportunities? 

• Institutional reform and individual responsibility: Democratic backsliding, illiberal populism, post-constitutionalism, and resurgent socialism and corporatism may be the symptoms of the failures of many complex institutions (schools, religions, governments, the press, civic associations, businesses, etc.) to create the cognitive, emotional, and moral scaffolding supportive of freedom and of facilitating the internalization of externalities, especially in light of new technologies, threats, and landscapes. But are our institutions up to the task? Additionally, what is the relationship of those institutions to the responsibilities of individuals to bear the consequences of their decisions? 

New Visions and Transformative Ventures: IFFM is interested in project ideas that challenge conventional paradigms and that break new ground. “Freedom Catalyst” projects seek to apply the principles of the classical liberal tradition in unexpected but promising ways, nurturing pathways for flourishing by extending the promise of human freedom and ingenuity. This funding category includes civil society ventures that creatively address social challenges while embodying and communicating classical liberal ideals. Surprise us with a genius idea that promotes individual freedom and free markets. 

*This year, the John Templeton Foundation—across the organization—is interested in projects that engage the topic of Intelligence (broadly conceived). If you have a project idea that bears upon the relationship of individual freedom and free markets to intelligence that is not captured in the topics above, please do feel encouraged to submit your OFI on that topic. And, if you believe your OFI bears on that topic, please make sure you indicate that in the OFI portal and in your submission when prompted.