Is this actionable now?

closed. The 2026 Online Funding Inquiry deadline was July 15 and the Foundation is not accepting new requests; 2027 dates are to be announced.

Charitable organisation proposing work aligned with a Templeton funding priority; unsolicited individuals and for-profit companies generally should not apply.

How does selection work?

Wait for the 2027 grant calendar; Submit an Online Funding Inquiry; Receive OFI review; If invited, submit a full proposal; Complete rigorous review and grant agreement. Two-stage OFI and invitation-only full proposal; full review takes about 4.5 months and the 2026 calendar gives final notice by July 9, 2027.

What burden and restrictions apply?

Grant agreements specify outputs, outcomes, payment and reporting; typical projects run up to three years, rarely five, with overhead normally capped at 15%. Funds are restricted to the approved charitable project and budget; first-time applicants are encouraged but not always required to show co-funding.

What evidence exists?

The Foundation reports 5,049 grants since inception across 60 countries. It reports approximately USD 150 million in 2025 giving and more than 18,000 related articles. The Foundation reports 3,037 inquiries in 2024 but does not publish the corresponding award count as a comparable acceptance rate.

John Templeton Foundation Grants

Applicant-proposed project budget; no universal minimum or maximum. The Foundation reports a historical average grant of about USD 730,000, which is not a cap · John Templeton Foundation

The John Templeton Foundation funds research and public engagement across six areas (Character Virtue Development; Individual Freedom & Free Markets; Life Sciences; Mathematical & Physical Sciences; Public Engagement; Religion, Science & Society). Applications begin with a required Online Funding Inquiry (OFI); promising inquiries are invited to submit a full proposal. Current lifecycle: closed. Real economics: Applicant-proposed project budget; no universal minimum or maximum. The Foundation reports a historical average grant of about USD 730,000, which is not a cap.

Tier 3researchpublic-engagementscience-and-religioncharacter

Apply Official site Open in the live directory

Key facts

Funder	John Templeton Foundation
Amount	Applicant-proposed project budget; no universal minimum or maximum. The Foundation reports a historical average grant of about USD 730,000, which is not a cap
Decision time	Two-stage OFI and invitation-only full proposal; full review takes about 4.5 months and the 2026 calendar gives final notice by July 9, 2027.
Eligibility	Charitable organisation proposing work aligned with a Templeton funding priority; unsolicited individuals and for-profit companies generally should not apply.
Restrictions	Grant agreements specify outputs, outcomes, payment and reporting; typical projects run up to three years, rarely five, with overhead normally capped at 15%. Funds are restricted to the approved charitable project and budget; first-time applicants are encouraged but not always required to show co-funding.
Status	closed

Always confirm on the official page before applying — dates and terms change.

Application process

Wait for the 2027 grant calendar
Submit an Online Funding Inquiry
Receive OFI review
If invited, submit a full proposal
Complete rigorous review and grant agreement

Background

John Templeton Foundation operates John Templeton Foundation Grants. This pass separates direct cash, repayable finance, credits, incentives and umbrella programs so later ranking does not compare unlike instruments. The Foundation reports 5,049 grants since inception across 60 countries. It reports approximately USD 150 million in 2025 giving and more than 18,000 related articles.

How the application really works

Wait for the 2027 grant calendar → Submit an Online Funding Inquiry → Receive OFI review → If invited, submit a full proposal → Complete rigorous review and grant agreement

Tips

Show direct fit with character and virtue.
Show direct fit with individual freedom and free markets.
Show direct fit with life sciences.
Show direct fit with mathematical and physical sciences.
Show direct fit with public engagement.
Show direct fit with religion, science and society.

Watch out for

Current lifecycle is closed.
Grant agreements specify outputs, outcomes, payment and reporting; typical projects run up to three years, rarely five, with overhead normally capped at 15%.
Funds are restricted to the approved charitable project and budget; first-time applicants are encouraged but not always required to show co-funding.

Track record

The Foundation reports 5,049 grants since inception across 60 countries.
It reports approximately USD 150 million in 2025 giving and more than 18,000 related articles.

The Foundation reports 3,037 inquiries in 2024 but does not publish the corresponding award count as a comparable acceptance rate.

Frequently asked questions

Is this actionable now?: closed. The 2026 Online Funding Inquiry deadline was July 15 and the Foundation is not accepting new requests; 2027 dates are to be announced.
What is the real economic value?: Applicant-proposed project budget; no universal minimum or maximum. The Foundation reports a historical average grant of about USD 730,000, which is not a cap
Who is eligible?: Charitable organisation proposing work aligned with a Templeton funding priority; unsolicited individuals and for-profit companies generally should not apply.
How does selection work?: Wait for the 2027 grant calendar; Submit an Online Funding Inquiry; Receive OFI review; If invited, submit a full proposal; Complete rigorous review and grant agreement. Two-stage OFI and invitation-only full proposal; full review takes about 4.5 months and the 2026 calendar gives final notice by July 9, 2027.
What burden and restrictions apply?: Grant agreements specify outputs, outcomes, payment and reporting; typical projects run up to three years, rarely five, with overhead normally capped at 15%. Funds are restricted to the approved charitable project and budget; first-time applicants are encouraged but not always required to show co-funding.
What evidence exists?: The Foundation reports 5,049 grants since inception across 60 countries. It reports approximately USD 150 million in 2025 giving and more than 18,000 related articles. The Foundation reports 3,037 inquiries in 2024 but does not publish the corresponding award count as a comparable acceptance rate.

Sources

www.templeton.org/grants/grant-calendar — Official closed 2026 calendar and review dates (checked 2026-08-10)
www.templeton.org/grants/apply-for-grant — Official applicant and two-stage process (checked 2026-08-10)
www.templeton.org/grants/grant-faq — Official duration, overhead and co-funding guidance (checked 2026-08-10)
www.templeton.org/grants — Official cumulative outcomes and average-grant context (checked 2026-08-10)