The Templeton Freedom Awards recognizes outstanding achievements from privately-funded, non-profit research institutes (“think tanks”).

Achievements that qualify for application include one of the following for each application:

• a completed project
• an ongoing program with an existing track record
• a body of work that is relevant to one of the prize categories

Institutes should not submit new or potential projects, as Templeton Freedom Awards are only awarded to recognize existing work.  Additionally, the application should specify which of the eight award categories the institute is seeking.  Detailed information on each category is listed below.

If your institute would like to apply for more than one Award, it may do so by nominating a different project on a separate nomination form. Previous winners may  reapply with a different project.

To Apply:

1. Submit the application form, available here, to TFA2012@AtlasNetwork.org.
2. Email supporting materials to Gonzalo Schwarz at TFA2012@AtlasNetwork.org or mail to:

Atlas Economic Research Foundation
Attn: Mr. Gonzalo Schwarz
1201 L Street, NW, 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20005

The application deadline is May 11, 2012. If you have any questions please contact Gonzalo Schwarz, Award Program Manager, at Gonzalo.Schwarz@AtlasNetwork.org.

There are 8 different categories from which your institute can apply.  Each Award will acknowledge a project from an insitute that best fits the description of each category.

• Solutions to Poverty – recognizing outstanding research and innovative projects addressing how sound economic and legal institutions can solve problems of poverty.
• Ethics & Values – recognizing outstanding research and innovative projects concerning the relationship between free enterprise and the ethics, values, and character that sustain it.
• Student Outreach – recognizing outstanding work by think tanks to improve education about freedom.
• Social Entrepreneurship – recognizing outstanding research and innovative projects on social entrepreneurship to benefit the poor, increased cooperation among think tanks, the private sector organizations for the free society; and general building of a sound, strong, civil society.
• Initiative in Public Relations – recognizing non-profit research institute that have demonstrated outstanding success in effectively communicating the ideas of a free society.
• Innovative Media Award – recognizing outstanding think tank projects that use film or multimedia technologies to promote the principles of a free society.
• Award for Special Achievement by a University-Based Center – recognizing outstanding projects and achievement by university-based centers in promoting liberty.
• Award for Special Achievement by a Young Institute – recognizing out-standing performance by an institute that is less than five years old.  One winner will be chosen from a developed country, and another one from a more difficult part of the world.

Two winners will be announced in each category. Each winner will receive $10,000.

Awards Announcement: Winners of 2012 Templeton Freedom Awards will be announced at the Atlas Liberty Forum in October prior to the Atlas Freedom Dinner.

Application form is available here.

Further Information

• 2011 TFA Winners, 2010 TFA Winners, 2009 TFA Winners, 2008 TFA Winners - (2004-2007 winners)
• TFA Advisory Council
• About Sir John Templeton