Mathematical & Physical Sciences
This grant funds research using AI/ML to discover new physics beyond the Standard Model or detect extraterrestrial technosignatures in quantum physics and cosmology.
Funder: John Templeton Foundation
Due Dates: July 15, 2026: Online Funding Inquiry deadline | December 4, 2026: Full Proposal deadline
Funding Amounts: Up to $2,500,000 per project (higher possible with co-funding); typical duration 1–3 years.
Summary: Supports innovative research in quantum physics, cosmology, and the search for new physics or technosignatures, emphasizing AI-driven methodologies.
Key Information: Proposals must focus on physics beyond the Standard Model or detection of extraterrestrial technosignatures and use advanced AI/ML methods.
Description
The John Templeton Foundation's Mathematical & Physical Sciences program funds ambitious research addressing foundational questions in quantum physics, cosmology, and complexity. For the 2026 cycle, the program specifically seeks experimental or observational projects targeting the discovery of new physics beyond the Standard Model or the detection of extraterrestrial technosignatures. Proposals must integrate advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) techniques for experimental design, data analysis, and signal detection, and demonstrate institutional readiness to support these approaches. The Foundation values projects that combine conceptual ambition with empirical rigor, aiming to accelerate discovery through state-of-the-art analytical tools.
