The 2026 Templeton Freedom Award
Named for the late investor and philanthropist Sir John Templeton, the Templeton Freedom Award has annually honored his legacy. Since 2004, the Award has identified and recognized the most exceptional and innovative contributions to further human creativity to alleviate poverty and tackle various social issues through the power of free competition. Since 2013, the Templeton Freedom Award has been generously supported by the Templeton Religion Trust.
The Templeton Freedom Award is the most prestigious award within Atlas Network's Templeton Freedom Awards Prize program, which includes the Regional Liberty Awards. All applicants to the Templeton Freedom Award are also considered for the Regional Liberty Award associated with their region. Due to the generosity of the Templeton Religion Trust, the Templeton Freedom Awards Prize Program now awards $410,000 in prizes each year.
The Templeton Freedom Award recognizes a spectrum of impactful projects, whether through concrete public policy changes or the transformation of hearts and minds. For policy-focused projects, emphasize specific reforms that have advanced economic growth and individual liberty, substantiating these achievements with data. In projects centered on changing hearts and minds, highlight how your initiative has influenced public attitudes towards advancing individual freedom and free market, employing methodologies like surveys and qualitative data to measure transformation. Present compelling evidence of the impact, demonstrating the power of these intangible changes.
The next deadline to apply for this award is November 30, 2025. Please read our guide to writing a competitive application here.
Finalists for the Templeton Freedom Award must have:
- Achieved tangible and meaningful victories that illustrate a holistic impact,
- Clearly played a role in generating impact and have shown how their team's actions, expertise, and values directly contributed to the achievement of the desired results,
- Provided evidence of external validation and recognition, such as endorsements, accolades, or praise from respected experts in the field, and
- Shown an innovative approach and strategy to advance individual freedom and free markets.
The winner of the 2026 Templeton Freedom Award will receive $150,000 and will be honored at Atlas Network's annual Freedom Dinner, which this year takes place in New York City. Five additional finalists will receive $30,000 prizes and travel support to attend the event.
For press-related questions about the Templeton Freedom Award, contact Adam Weinberg, Director of Marketing and Communications, at Adam.Weinberg@atlasnetwork.org. For other questions about the Templeton Freedom Award, contact Alyssa DiPadova at Alyssa.DiPadova@atlasnetwork.org.
