Templeton Prize is an annual award given to a living individual whose work has contributed to harnessing the power of science to explore deep questions of the universe and humanity’s place and purpose in it. Recipients of the prize have included philosophers, scientists, theologians, religious leaders, and leaders in public opinion. They have been from many countries and have represented different faiths. The prize is administered jointly by the John Templeton Foundation, in the United States, and by the Templeton World Charity Foundation and the Templeton Religion Trust, both in the Bahamas.
John Templeton, a financier and philanthropist from the United States, established the prize in 1972 to honor individuals who had made exceptional contributions to affirming the spiritual dimension of life. Templeton set the monetary value of the award above that of the Nobel Prizes to emphasize the importance of “progress in religion.” The first prize was awarded in 1973. The winner receives a scroll, a medal, and a monetary award of 1,100,000 pounds (about $1,400,000).
Each year, a group of anonymous nominators is invited to propose candidates for the prize. The nominators have expertise in such areas as philosophy, religion, and science. The candidates may represent any religious or spiritual perspective or may have no formal religious affiliation. A panel of judges reviews the candidates and chooses a winner. Judges have included such people as former heads of state, members of royal families, religious leaders of different faiths, and scientists.
