What We Fund
Prometheus Foundation funds organizations and individuals who demonstrate that they can effectively promote Ayn Rand and advance Objectivism.
Prometheus Foundation supports organizations and individuals who demonstrate that they can use our funds to effectively promote Ayn Rand and advance Objectivism. The Foundation has three funding programs: The Objectivist Venture Fund, the Scholarships Program, and the New Intellectuals Fund.
Please note: We do not fund translations, book-writing projects, art-related projects, or projects directly advocating political policy.
Read more about our funding programs below and please apply if you’re interested in a program and your plans meet the criteria given. For more examples of people and projects we’ve funded in the past, click here.
Objectivist Venture Fund
The Objectivist Venture Fund (OVF) underwrites organizations and individuals who present strong business plans and proofs of concept for ventures that will promote Ayn Rand’s ideas in substantial ways. Such ventures have included book clubs, meet-up groups, seminars, centers of learning, projects within activist organizations, and programs within universities.
Applicants must:
- Demonstrate substantial understanding of Objectivism,
- Demonstrate strong ability to plan and execute projects,
- Demonstrate that they follow through and get things done.
Applications should include information showing these qualities. This can be in the form of past accomplishments, letters of recommendation, or proofs of concept for the project in question.
Applications should also include a clear and concise budget (in USD), a timeline for the project, projected outcomes, and metrics for measuring success.
Documents accompanying applications must be in Google Docs and/or Google Sheets, and in Times New Roman, 12-point font. (PDFs may be included, but they must have reasonably large fonts so that they are legible.)
Examples of funded OVF ventures:
Ayn Rand Center Israel
Boaz Arad, founder of Ayn Rand Center Israel, received several OVF grants to establish the Center and expand its activities.
Proposal by Ayn Rand Center Europe (ARCE)
Since 2015, ARCE (now run by Isidora Kolar) has received funding to teach John Galt School courses on Objectivism throughout Europe.
The Novel Philosophy Academy
Leopold Ajami was awarded an OVF grant to teach courses on Objectivism at the Novel Philosophy Academy in Dubai.
Scholarships Program
The Scholarship Program funds talented, up-and-coming scholars who seek to promote Objectivism as a significant part of their career. Objectivists of any age may apply for funds to help finance their formal education. Recipients must demonstrate substantial understanding of Objectivism and the ability and intention to promote it.
Applicants must:
- Show that they are enrolled (or enrolling) in a formal educational program leading to a certificate or degree,
- Demonstrate financial need,
- Demonstrate a record of strong academic achievement.
Applications should include information showing these requirements, along with a resume or CV showing educational, professional, and extracurricular activities, as well as honors, awards, and other achievements.
Applications should include a proposal explaining your academic and professional plans; a budget (in USD) for your plans, including information about sources of your annual income and any financial aid; and a transcript if available.
Recommendations or references should be sent separately and directly to Prometheus Foundation at [email protected].
Documents accompanying applications must be in Google Docs and/or Google Sheets, and in Times New Roman, 12-point font. (PDFs may be included, but they must have reasonably large fonts so that they are legible.)
Examples of funded Scholarships:
Scholarship for
Martin Hooss
Martin Hooss was awarded a scholarship to support his work on his dissertation, “The Courage to Face a Lifetime: Ayn Rand’s Promethean Vision.” Additionally, Martin works for SFL as their Content Editor on the New Frontiers of Objectivism program.
Scholarship for
Deanna Heikkinen
Deanna Heikkinen was awarded a scholarship to support her work on her dissertation, “Ayn Rand in Higher Education.”
Scholarship for
Dan Norton
Dan Norton was awarded a scholarship to support his work on his dissertation, “A Critique of the Scientific Case for Physicalism.”
Productiveness Program
The Productiveness Program provides financial support to accomplished Objectivist intellectuals to help them focus their efforts on high-leverage intellectual work. Productiveness grants can be awarded to help an intellectual market their book, hire an editor, develop a course, hire an assistant, or delegate projects or tasks.
Applicants must:
- Demonstrate exceptional understanding of Objectivism,
- Demonstrate strong ability to plan and execute projects,
- Demonstrate that they follow through and get things done.
Applications should include information showing these qualities. This can be in the form of past accomplishments, letters of recommendation, or proofs of concept.
Applications should also include a clear and concise budget (in USD), a timeline for the projects in question, projected outcomes, and metrics for measuring success.
Documents accompanying applications must be in Google Docs and/or Google Sheets, and in Times New Roman, 12-point font. (PDFs may be included, but they must have reasonably large fonts so that they are legible.)
Productiveness Grant for
Kalin Manolov
Kalin Manolov received a Productiveness Grant to hire help for his expanding activites at the Atlas Laissez Faire Institute in Bulgaria.
Productiveness Grant for
Boaz Arad
Boaz Arad received a Productiveness Grant to hire an assistant and to expand the activities and impact of Ayn Rand Center Israel.
Calling New Intellectuals
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“The world you desire can be won, it exists, it is real, it is possible, it is yours.”
—Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged
