Foundational Questions Institute

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The Foundational Questions Institute, styled FQxI (formerly FQXi), is an organization that provides grants to "catalyze, support, and disseminate research on questions at the foundations of physics and cosmology." [1] It was founded in 2005 by cosmologists Max Tegmark and Anthony Aguirre,. [2] It has run multiple worldwide grant competitions (in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019), the first of which provided US$2M to 30 projects. [3] It also runs frequent essay contests open to the general public with $40,000 in prizes awarded by a jury panel and the best texts published in book format. [4]

Contents

FQxI is an independent, philanthropically funded non-profit organization, run by scientists for scientists.

The $6.2 million seed funding was donated by the John Templeton Foundation, whose goal is to reconcile science and religion. Tegmark has stated that the money came with "no strings attached"; The Boston Globe stated FQxI is run by "two well-respected researchers who say they are not religious. The institute's scientific advisory board is also filled with top scientists." [5] Critics of the John Templeton Foundation such as Sean Carroll have also stated they were satisfied that the FQxI is independent. [6] [7]

Notable members

FQXi members include [8]

Among others

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References

  1. About the Foundational Questions Institute
  2. Schwarzchild, Bertram (December 2005). "News notes: Foundational Questions Institute". Physics Today. 58 (12): 31. Bibcode:2005PhT....58T..31F. doi:10.1063/1.2169440.
  3. Merali, Zeeya (2007-11-15). "Is mathematical pattern the theory of everything?". New Scientist . Reed Business Information.
  4. "Essay Contest page". fqxi.org. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  5. "Initiative will join physics, theology". Boston Globe . 31 July 2006. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  6. Epstein, David (1 August 2006). "Separation of Church and Science". Inside Higher Ed . Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  7. "Foundational Questioners Announced". Sean Carroll (blog). 31 July 2006. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
  8. "FQxI Membership" . Retrieved 27 January 2020.