The John Templeton Foundation stands as a prominent philanthropic organization, dedicated to supporting discovery in areas that inspire awe and wonder. For those seeking funding for projects aligning with this vision, understanding the Foundation’s grantmaking process is crucial. This guide outlines the steps involved, beginning with the essential Online Funding Inquiry (OFI).
The initial step in seeking funding from the John Templeton Foundation is the Online Funding Inquiry (OFI). This brief online form serves as an introductory stage, allowing applicants to present basic information about their proposed projects. The OFI is designed to provide the Foundation with an overview, including:
- Project Title: A concise and informative title that captures the essence of your project.
- Request Amount: The specific amount of funding you are seeking from the Foundation.
- Relevant Dates: Key project timelines, including start and end dates.
- Project Importance: A clear articulation of why your project is significant and its potential impact.
- Activity Description: A brief summary of the activities planned within the project.
- Key Personnel and Organizations: Information about the individuals and institutions involved in the project.
Submitting an OFI is straightforward and can be done through the Templeton portal. This initial inquiry is vital, whether you are ready to formally request funding or simply exploring the suitability of your project for the John Templeton Foundation’s philanthropic interests.
OFI Review Process: Determining Alignment with the John Templeton Foundation’s Vision
Upon submission, each OFI undergoes a thorough review by the John Templeton Foundation’s program staff. This review process is designed to assess whether the proposed project is a strong fit with the Foundation’s funding areas and the overarching philanthropic vision established by its founder, Sir John Templeton. The Foundation seeks projects that are not only impactful but also strategically aligned with its mission to encourage civilizational progress and the exploration of big questions.
It is important to recognize that the John Templeton Foundation operates with limited resources and receives a high volume of OFIs. Consequently, the review process is competitive. Invitations to submit Full Proposals are extended only to those projects that are deemed exceptionally promising and closely aligned with the Foundation’s priorities. While many worthwhile projects are proposed, the Foundation must prioritize those with the greatest potential to advance its specific philanthropic goals.
Full Proposal: An Invitation-Only Second Stage
The Full Proposal represents the second, invitation-only stage in the John Templeton Foundation’s grant application process. Only applicants who have successfully passed the OFI review are invited to submit a Full Proposal. Invitations are communicated via email, with notification dates detailed in the Foundation’s grant calendar. The invitation email provides access to the Full Proposal webform within the Templeton Portal.
The Full Proposal webform is significantly more detailed than the OFI. It allows applicants to comprehensively describe their proposed project, providing expanded information across various fields. Furthermore, it includes sections for uploading essential documents, such as:
- Detailed Budget: A comprehensive breakdown of project expenses.
- Project Narrative: An in-depth description of the project’s activities, methodology, and expected outcomes.
- Supplemental Documents: Supporting materials that strengthen the proposal, such as letters of support or relevant publications.
To streamline the process, the Full Proposal webform pre-populates many fields with the information previously submitted in the OFI. This feature simplifies the application process and ensures consistency in the information provided to the John Templeton Foundation.
Full Proposal Review: A Rigorous Evaluation Process
All Full Proposals submitted to the John Templeton Foundation undergo a rigorous review process, adhering to the timelines outlined in the Grant Calendar. This comprehensive evaluation, which can take up to four and a half months, aims to identify and fund the most impactful and innovative projects. The review process typically involves several key stages:
- Staff Review: An initial assessment by the Foundation’s program staff to ensure completeness, accuracy, and alignment with funding priorities. This may involve requests for further information or clarification.
- External Review: To gain diverse perspectives and ensure the highest quality of funded projects, the John Templeton Foundation often employs external reviewers. These experts in relevant fields evaluate proposals, providing valuable feedback and insights. Applicants may suggest potential reviewers, and the Foundation also identifies reviewers independently. Reviewer identities remain confidential. This step may be skipped if staff determines external review is not necessary.
- Proposal Revisions: If concerns, questions, or suggestions for improvement arise from staff or external reviewers, applicants will receive a notification and be invited to revise their proposal. Prompt response and revisions are crucial, as failure to address feedback may lead to the proposal being declined.
- Final Review and Decision: While program staff conducts the detailed review, final funding decisions rest with the John Templeton Foundation’s Board of Trustees and its President. Proposals are presented at scheduled review meetings, and decisions typically fall into three categories: Approved as proposed, Declined as proposed, or Conditionally Approved (pending revisions).
- Notification: Once a final funding decision is made by the President or Board, applicants are notified via email.
Grant Agreement: Formalizing the Partnership with the John Templeton Foundation
For projects approved for funding, the final stage is the establishment of a Grant Agreement. The John Templeton Foundation utilizes contractual Grant Agreements to formalize all grant funding. This agreement outlines the general terms and conditions governing all grants, including communication guidelines, compliance requirements, and stipulations regarding the appropriate use of funds.
Beyond the general terms, the Grant Agreement also specifies key project details, such as:
- Project Description: A summary of the funded project.
- Approved Budget: The detailed budget agreed upon for the project.
- Outputs and Outcomes: Clearly defined deliverables and anticipated impacts of the project.
- Payment and Reporting Schedule: A schedule for fund disbursement and reporting requirements throughout the grant period.
The Grant Agreement is sent to the designated contract signatory identified in the Full Proposal, marking the formal commencement of the partnership between the grantee and the John Templeton Foundation in advancing knowledge and discovery.
