Applications to the @divintelligence.bsky.social Summer Institute 2026 are open! Held at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, from June 21 to July 11, attendees will develop new ways of engaging with questions about mind, cognition, and intelligence. 👉 Learn more and apply: https://disi.org/apply/

In a new blog post featuring insights from Dr @nickdhiggs.bsky.social, Vice President of Strategy & Programs, TWCF, and Kristin Eldon Whylly, Director of Operations, we explore what open research means for TWCF and how it’s central to our future direction. https://bit.ly/4v81qeK

1/8 We’re launching a Quarterly Insights Digest and it’s built with intention. 📩 This is a space for reflection and depth, where we take a closer look at the most impactful stories of the quarter. 🔗 Sign up here: templetonworldcharity.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=... Read the first edition. 👇

Ambitious questions require meaningful, researched answers. Stay tuned to learn more.

What is – and isn’t – intelligence? Patrick House, a @divintelligence.bsky.social alumnus, published a review of the new book “What is Intelligence? Lessons from AI About Evolution, Computing, and Minds” by @blaiseaguera.bsky.social. 👉 Article: https://bit.ly/4lFNDrm 👉 DISI: https://bit.ly/479359x

On this #InternationalDayOfHappiness, tune into the podcasts by the @greatergoodmag.bsky.social#InternationalDayOfHappinessto discover how forgiveness reshapes the brain, eases the body, and helps us move forward with greater compassion and freedom. 👉 Listen here: https://bit.ly/47FlFpQ

Congratulations to Roger Koppl for being awarded the Duncan Black Prize for Best Paper in Public Choice by a Senior Scholar. His paper found that governments’ political priorities shaped how public health research was organized during COVID-19. 👉 https://bit.ly/4amvj2l 👉 https://bit.ly/4uCZhap

Intelligent agents can still take irrational actions and, sometimes, groups of animals are better at making good decisions than their constituent individuals. Read the latest article from the TWCF-funded project, “Rationality and Reason beyond the Individual“ project below.

The TWCF-funded Academic Writing Course supports grantees in publishing peer-reviewed articles, writing edited book chapters, delivering high-quality paper and poster presentations at academic conferences. Here are new articles from previous participants. 👉 Learn more: https://bit.ly/49tAflM

The “Meanings of Life Project: The New Biology” project, funded by TWCF, seeks to identify a new scientific narrative that unites research at the level of genes, molecules, and cells to notions of agency, purpose, and meaning in living entities. 👉 Read the announcement: https://bit.ly/4bwWYy9

1/6 #InternationalWomensDay is an opportunity to recognize the researchers, scholars, and leaders whose work is advancing discovery and deepening our understanding of the world.

Connecting with strangers can help build a kinder, more cooperative society. Researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are researching the benefits of micro-moments of positive connection. 👉 Read the article: https://bit.ly/3OTGFCP 👉Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4llwPWA

With the support of TWCF, @chriskrupenye.bluesky.social and Amalia Bastos, with the help of Kanzi, a language-trained bonobo, found that apes can play pretend. This suggests that imagination is not unique to humans. 👉 Paper: https://bit.ly/40xbqQq 👉 Blog post: https://bit.ly/45TrfUR

Researchers published a review of how universities can incorporate sustainability into their training, research and management functions. Concepción Naval, one of the leading authors, took part in the TWCF Academic Writing Course. 👉 Paper: https://bit.ly/3OKE7qs 👉 Course: https://bit.ly/49tAflM

Solving the water access problem in low-income countries requires addressing limited infrastructure and significant poverty. A study found that simple water treatment and delivery could become key to provide access to clean drinking water. 👉 https://bit.ly/46raYqo 👉 https://bit.ly/4rCTjV5

For researchers seeking to help humans flourish in a world with increasing polarization, our Global Request for Planning Grants offers up to USD $100,000 to build the teams, tools & understanding for new scientific enterprises on a global scale. ⌛Applications close in 9 days: https://bit.ly/49F3ocy

On #NationalCaregiversDay, we are taking a moment to highlight the importance of studying the social science of caregiving, how it develops, and how societies might better support it. 👉 Watch the video to learn more about the social science of caregiving: https://bit.ly/4tMasgG

How do collective intelligences evolve and what principles shape their emergence? A project at @durham.ac.uk investigates the drivers of intelligence in our close relatives, the great apes. Learn more: www.templetonworldcharity.org/projects-res... Read their latest article below. 👇

Informed by our core values, we fund projects around the world that embody the dynamic and forward-looking vision espoused by our founder, Sir John Templeton. We support work that enhances our positive and distinctive capacities. Visit our website to learn more: https://bit.ly/4aYGE95

The Khaya Lam Project, funded by TWCF, has supported nearly 500 families living in municipally-owned rental accommodation secure legal title deeds to the homes they’ve lived in for years. 👉 Learn more: https://bit.ly/4kwQp1s 👉 Visit the Khaya Lam website: https://bit.ly/4ctuCpn

A study showed that parents who have higher confidence in their parenting abilities are likely to have teenagers who exhibit better self-regulation skills. Rose Opiyo, a leading author, recently took part in the TWCF Academic Writing Course. 👉 https://bit.ly/49tAflM 👉 https://bit.ly/4aummmn

Our latest Global Request for Planning Grants seeks to map the complex ecosystem of polarization and depolarization globally. Up to USD $100,000 will be offered to provide time and resources to ensure the research investment is transformative. ⏳Only 18 days left to apply: https://bit.ly/49F3ocy

As part of the findings of the TWCF-funded project, “Towards a Global Index of Social Connection”, @ijzerman.bsky.social outlined Türkyie’s paradox of high loneliness amid cultural warmth. 👉 Article: bit.ly/4rkL1RU 👉 Project: bit.ly/4qyvsEP

Consciousness is one of the most familiar phenomena in nature, but it is also one of the least understood. This TWCF-funded project studies consciousness with a higher level of rigor and helps narrow down the space of viable theories. Learn more: www.templetonworldcharity.org/projects-res...

As part of the findings of the TWCF-funded project, “Towards a Global Index of Social Connection”, @ijzerman.bsky.social outlined the Türkyie’s paradox of high loneliness amid cultural warmth. 👉 Article: https://bit.ly/4rkL1RU 👉 Project: https://bit.ly/4qyvsEP

🚨 Final call for the #TWCFRequestForIdeas! Your idea could help shape the future. Submit it today: http://templetonworldcharity.org/global-call-for-ideas

The Templeton World Charity Foundation Request for Ideas is a global invitation to share transformative ideas that could shape TWCF's next chapter. 👉 Submit your idea before Friday: http://templetonworldcharity.org/global-call-for-ideas #TWCFRequestForIdeas

⏰ The Templeton World Charity Foundation Request for Ideas closes on February 13! This is a global invitation to share bold ideas that could shape TWCF's next chapter in its search for meaning, purpose and truth. 👉 http://templetonworldcharity.org/global-call-for-ideas #TWCFRequestForIdeas

A recent article by @chriskrupenye.bsky.social highlights that bonobos share the human ability to imagine. Find out more about the TWCF-funded “Explaining Other Minds” project: www.templetonworldcharity.org/projects-res... Read the article below. 👇

A recent comparative study found that while governments often claimed they were “following the science” during the COVID-19 pandemic, they also influenced which science they were following. 👉 Read the article: https://bit.ly/4amvj2l 👉 The project: https://bit.ly/4t9gxU0

Researchers examined hormonal coupling in two distinct non-Western populations and found patterns that challenge key assumptions derived from Western-based research. Rana Dajani, one of the leading authors, recently took part in the TWCF Academic Writing Course. 👉 https://bit.ly/49tAflM

A recent article on @greatergoodedu.bsky.social explores why family estrangement is becoming more common and why it’s often the result of accumulated hurt, miscommunication, and unmet expectations. 🔗 Read the article here: https://bit.ly/4q73gsr

For decades, scientists have struggled to identify and measure joy. @wileyprof.bsky.social's TWCF-funded project aims to demonstrate that joy is an aspect of intelligence. Read his latest publication below. Learn more about the project here: www.templetonworldcharity.org/projects-res...

An article written in honor of TWCF’s founder, Sir John, stresses that collaboration between science and religion can optimize human development and enhance equity and social justice. 🔗 Article: https://bit.ly/4bkFju5 👉 Sir John's vision: https://bit.ly/4rdW3aT

Published at the end of last year by the Fundación Libertad y Progreso and funded by TWCF, the new Educational Freedom Index highlights significant differences across the region. 👉 https://www.memo.com.ar/cultura/indice-libertad-educativa/

“Educating for peace should be informed by lessons learned from the past.” In a new paper, the Aegis Trust in Rwanda presents its storytelling approach to educating for peace. 👉 https://www.emerald.com/jced/article/20/2/43/1323766/Shaping-a-Peaceful-Future-by-Learning-Lessons-From

Researchers have recently proposed a new framework to facilitate rigorous science in the biocultural approaches to intergenerational trauma, survival, and resilience. Rana Dajani, one of the leading authors, recently took part in the TWCF Academic Writing Course. 👉 https://bit.ly/49tAflM

A new article in @nature.com examines how theoretical frameworks shape progress in the scientific study of consciousness. 👉 The article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s44271-025-00361-z 👉 The project: https://www.templetonworldcharity.org/projects-resources/project-database/30264

📢 Global Request for Planning grants for Listening & Learning in a Polarized World. We’re awarding up to USD $100,000 to support the planning of research dedicated to understanding and mapping the phenomenon of polarization or depolarization globally. Apply by March 6, 2026: https://bit.ly/49F3ocy

A new study examined whether lo­cal­ly de­vel­oped in­struments can com­ple­ment West­ern tools in un­der­stand­ing ado­les­cent men­tal health among Kenyan youth. 👉 https://bit.ly/3Yyv0el Tom Osborn, the corresponding author, recently took part in the TWCF Academic Writing Course.

A new study by researchers of North Carolina University at Chapel Hill found that high-quality listening behaviors are strongly linked to increased social connection between strangers. 👉 Read the article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s44271-025-00342-2

As we close out 2025, we're celebrating the spirit of curiosity that drives discovery. The Templeton World Charity Foundation Request for Ideas remains open - inviting researchers and partners to share ideas that could shape TWCF's next chapter. https://bit.ly/446P4rr #TWCFRequestForIdeas

As we close 2025, we celebrate the spirit of curiosity that drives discovery.   The Templeton World Charity Foundation Request for Ideas remains open - inviting researchers to share ideas that could shape TWCF's next chapter.   templetonworldcharity.org/global-call-...   #TWCFRequestForIdeas

This year’s Teens and Screens Report from the @scholarsnstory.bsky.social at #UCLA found that media is still a “currency of connection” for Gen Z and Gen Alpha. 👉 Read the article: https://bit.ly/490H3G6

1/ Using data from the first wave of the Global Flourishing Study, researchers set out to understand how childhood experiences affect adult community participation across societies. 🔗 Read the study: www.nature.com/articles/s41...

A recent tree-ring dating @nature.com study revisited a 1990s analysis of two oak-panel portraits, pairing the original data with today’s improved imaging techniques and updated reference chronologies. 👉 Explore their findings: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-025-06066-2

The Templeton World Charity Foundation Request for Ideas is open - a global invitation to share bold ideas that could shape TWCF's next chapter. Learn more: http://templetonworldcharity.org/global-call-for-ideas #TWCFRequestForIdeas

What is the purpose of education in today’s society? The @oecd-ocde.bsky.social published its Education for human flourishing framework–funded by TWCF–with the goal of shaping the international conversation on the future of education. 🔗 Read it here: https://bit.ly/4q4G7Hy

A new article in @greatergoodedu.bsky.social explores how forgiveness practices from different faiths can inspire us to confront pain, release anger and heal our communities.    🔗 Read the article here: greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item... 

Have questions about the Templeton World Charity Foundation Request for Ideas? We're hosting a webinar on today at 11am ET - a chance to hear directly from TWCF about what we're looking for, how to share your idea, and what happens next. 👉 Register here: bit.ly/4a8Lbpq #TWCFRequestForIdeas