Apply for TEI Foundation Funding
Tell us about your work, the principles you'd advance, and how funding would support your research, education, or training in Transformative Emotional Intelligence.
Jump to ApplicationThe Application Process
Four steps from interest to decision. Most applicants complete the form in one sitting after gathering their materials.
Prepare
Review the awards, gather your materials, and identify two recommenders who know your work and can speak to your qualifications.
Apply
Complete the application form online. Plan for 30–60 minutes — you'll write briefly about each of the 12 TEI Principles in the application.
Recommendation
You will need to submit two names and emails of recommenders directly through the application to the foundation. Recommendations can be either a letter or in email format.
Review
The grant and scholarship committee reviews complete applications and responds by email with a decision.
Two letters of recommendation must be received before the committee will review your application. Plan to request these well in advance.
What to Have Ready
Gather these materials before opening the application form. Most applicants need 30–60 minutes once they're ready.
- Personal information: full name, mailing address, phone number
- Education background: degrees, institutions, and dates (most recent to oldest)
- Selected award: Darwin B. Nelson Research Grant or Gary R. Low Personal Excellence Scholarship
- Description of your research, project, or program with relevant dates
- A short response for each of the 12 TEI Principles — explaining how your work connects to each principle, or "N/A" if not applicable
- Inclusion impact statement: how your work contributes to positive change for individuals, schools, communities, or organizations
- Specific use of funds: a clear description of how funding would be applied
- Funding amount requested ($500 – $1,000 USD)
- Two recommenders who will email letters of recommendation separately on your behalf
Which Application is Right for You?
The TEI Foundation offers two annual awards. Each application is for one specific award — review the criteria below to choose, then continue to the application form.
Darwin B. Nelson Research Grant
For original research and publication that extends Transformative EI
- You are proposing original research, study, or publication
- Your work extends knowledge or application of Transformative Emotional Intelligence
- You are a doctoral or post-doctoral researcher in education, psychology, leadership, or a related field
Gary R. Low Personal Excellence Scholarship
For tuition support to study or apply Transformative EI
- You need tuition support for an event, conference, or training program
- Your work uses or applies TEI principles in education or training contexts
- You are an educator, trainer, or emerging practitioner
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Help Us Build a Healthier,
Happier, More Productive World
Your support funds the science that makes it possible — research, scholarships, and education rooted in 50+ years of transformative EI.