[John Templeton Foundation](https://www.templeton.org)

August 2026 (Call for proposals deadline)

Typical grants range from $200,000 to several million USD; project duration varies (often 1–3 years).

Funds interdisciplinary research on the intersections of religion, science, and society to deepen understanding of meaning, culture, and human flourishing.

--- ## Description The John Templeton Foundation’s Religion, Science, & Society funding area supports research that seeks to generate meaningful and practical insights into the religious, spiritual, and cultural dimensions of humanity. Emphasizing interdisciplinary work, this program encourages projects that bridge the sciences and humanities to explore how humans navigate spiritual and scientific questions. The grant portfolio draws from diverse intellectual, religious, and spiritual traditions, with the aim of transforming human knowledge to address contemporary social and existential challenges. Key topical areas include: - **Understanding Religious and Cultural Change:** Research on how religion, spirituality, and culture evolve, focusing on religious innovation and its impact on society. - **Health, Religion, and Spirituality:** Studies on how faith and spirituality contribute to health, including clinical, implementation, and community-based research. - **Meaning Making in the Modern World:** Investigations into how people develop meaningful lives and pursue spiritual flourishing, including immersive experiences and the reframing of existential understandings. - **Other:** Projects examining philosophical, scientific, and theological themes across eras or disciplines, or encouraging engagement between religious communities and the sciences. --- ## Due Dates - **August 2026 (anticipated/projected):** Call for proposals deadline *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - **Typical award size:** $200,000 to several million USD per project - **Project duration:** Often 1–3 years, depending on the scope and complexity Awards are highly variable, reflecting the scale and ambition of the proposed research. --- ## Eligibility - **Who can apply:** - Charitable entities (universities, research institutes, non-profits) operating inside or outside the United States - On rare occasions, individuals and for-profit companies may be funded if conducting charitable work consistent with the Foundation’s tax-exempt status - **Project requirements:** - Must align with the Foundation’s major funding areas and priorities - Projects should be discrete and research-focused; operational or general program support is not eligible --- ## Application Process 1. **Online Funding Inquiry (OFI):** Submit a brief initial proposal through the [Templeton Portal](https://portal.templeton.org/), outlining your project’s aims, team, and relevance. 2. **OFI Review:** Foundation staff assess fit and potential; only select applicants are invited to submit a full proposal. 3. **Full Proposal (by invitation only):** If invited, submit a detailed application with budget, narrative, and supporting materials. 4. **External and Staff Review:** Proposals may undergo external peer review and further staff evaluation. 5. **Final Decision:** Approval by the Foundation’s Board or President; notification sent by email. 6. **Grant Agreement:** Successful applicants sign a grant agreement outlining terms, deliverables, and reporting requirements. All application materials are submitted online. The OFI portal opens several months before the submission deadline. --- ## Additional Information - Projects are encouraged to be interdisciplinary, engaging both sciences and humanities. - The Foundation welcomes proposals from diverse intellectual, religious, and spiritual backgrounds. - See the [Spiritual Yearning Research Initiative (SYRI)](https://www.templeton.org/religion-science-and-society/syri) for example themes relevant to meaning-making among the nonreligious. --- ## External Links - [Religion, Science & Society Funding Area](https://www.templeton.org/funding-areas/religion-science-and-society) - [Apply for a Grant](https://www.templeton.org/grants/apply-for-grant) - [Templeton Portal (Application Submission)](https://portal.templeton.org/) - [Grant Calendar](https://www.templeton.org/grants/grant-calendar) - [Grant FAQ](https://www.templeton.org/grants/grant-faq) - [Full Grant Database](https://www.templeton.org/grants/grant-database) --- ## Contact Information | Type | Details | |--------------|---------------------------------------------------------| | General | [info@templeton.org](mailto:info@templeton.org) | | Phone | +1 610-941-2828 | | Contact Form | [Contact Page](https://www.templeton.org/contact) | | SYRI Queries | [syri@templeton.org](mailto:syri@templeton.org) |

Religion, Science, & Society

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