Religion, Science, & Society
Funds interdisciplinary research on intelligence, meaning making, and imagined futures to deepen understanding of human existence and societal development.
Funder: John Templeton Foundation
Due Dates: July 15, 2026: Online Funding Inquiry (OFI) submission deadline | December 4, 2026: Full Proposal (FP) submission deadline
Funding Amounts: Typical awards range from less than $260,000 (focused studies) to $2.5 million (large collaborations); project duration is usually 3 years.
Summary: Supports interdisciplinary research on intelligence, meaning making, and imagined futures to advance understanding of human existence and societal development.
Description
This grant from the John Templeton Foundation funds three-year, interdisciplinary research projects that address fundamental questions about human existence, flourishing, meaning, and the ways societies envision the future. For the 2026 cycle, proposals are invited in three thematic categories: Intelligence, Meaning Making, and Imagined Futures. The program encourages integration of theological, philosophical, and social scientific approaches, with an emphasis on innovative methodologies, interdisciplinary teams, and research that bridges academic, cultural, and practical domains. While public engagement components are welcome, the primary focus must be research.
