It is named after the 19th-century English scientist Michael Faraday, the pioneer of electromagnetic induction.
It was established in 2006 by a $2,000,000 grant from the John Templeton Foundation to carry out academic research, to foster understanding of the interaction between science and religion, and to engage public understanding in both these subject areas.
[1] The institute also leads debate on wider issues such as sustainability and education.
[17][18][19] The institute has published 20 Faraday Papers discussing various science and faith issues, which are available online in 12 different languages.
Its work, along with that of other similar organizations, has led to a "complete reassessment of historical literature on the relationship between science and religion.