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The Kavli Foundation

Annual Giving
$35.0M
Grant Range
$10K - $1.0M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $35 million
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (highly selective)
  • Decision Time: Varies by program
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $1,000,000 (most grants $50,000 - $250,000)
  • Geographic Focus: International (20 institutes across US, Asia, Europe)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.kavlifoundation.org Email: communications@kavlifoundation.org Address: 5715 Mesmer Avenue, Culver City, CA 90230 Application Portal: https://kavlifoundation.smapply.org Program Inquiries: science@kavlifoundation.org

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals but may issue open calls for specific initiatives.

Overview

The Kavli Foundation was established in December 2000 by Fred Kavli, a Norwegian-American entrepreneur who sold his sensor company Kavlico for $345 million. Following Fred Kavli's death in 2013, his estate tripled the foundation's assets to over $600 million, with annual giving more than doubling to $35 million. The endowment, combined with external partners (the Kavli Philanthropic Enterprise), is now valued at $1.1 billion. The foundation's mission is to advance science for the benefit of humanity and promote public understanding of scientists and their work. Through 20 endowed Kavli Institutes at prestigious universities worldwide (13 in the US, 3 in Asia, 4 in Europe), the foundation supports basic research in astrophysics, nanoscience, neuroscience, and theoretical physics. Under President Cynthia M. Friend (2021-present), the foundation has emphasized democratizing scientific communication and strengthening the relationship between science and society through initiatives like the Kavli Centers for Ethics, Science, and the Public.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Kavli Institute Collaboration Kickstarter (KICK) Grants

  • Amount: $10,000 - $120,000
  • Duration: 1-10 months
  • Eligibility: Open to members of different Kavli Institutes for collaborative projects
  • Application: Online portal, annual deadline (typically February)
  • Focus: Investigative research, scholarly pursuits, or public engagement projects leveraging cross-institute expertise

Neurobiology in Changing Ecosystems (NiCE) Program

  • Amount: $1 million per project
  • Duration: 3 years
  • Partnership: Co-funded with National Science Foundation
  • Focus: How nervous systems function and evolve in dynamic natural environments and respond to anthropogenic change

Strategic Partnership Grants

  • Amount: Varies widely (typically $50,000 - $250,000)
  • Application: By invitation or open call only
  • Focus: Innovation in photonic methods for neural observation/control, materials for quantum applications, interdisciplinary breakthrough research

Kavli Institutes

  • Amount: Multi-million dollar endowments
  • Status: Not currently deploying endowment funding for new research institutes
  • Focus: Sustained support for basic research at 20 established institutes worldwide

Priority Areas

Astrophysics

  • Cosmology and the early universe
  • Particle astrophysics
  • Dark matter and dark energy
  • Line intensity mapping and universe history
  • Exoplanets and space research

Nanoscience

  • Nanoscale materials and devices
  • Quantum geometric effects in materials
  • Novel sensor technologies
  • Energy nanoscience
  • Nanotechnology applications in fundamental science

Neuroscience

  • Brain systems and neural circuits
  • Cognitive neuroscience
  • Neural mechanisms of behavior
  • Photonic methods for observing/controlling neural activity
  • Neurobiology in natural environments

Theoretical Physics

  • Fundamental theoretical questions
  • Mathematical approaches to physical phenomena
  • Cross-disciplinary theoretical frameworks

Science and Society

  • Ethics of scientific research and applications
  • Public engagement with science
  • Science communication
  • Democratization of scientific knowledge

What They Don't Fund

  • Unsolicited proposals: The foundation does not accept general unsolicited applications
  • Applied or translational research: Focus is exclusively on basic science, not clinical applications or translational work
  • Fields outside core areas: No funding for research outside astrophysics, nanoscience, neuroscience, and theoretical physics
  • Salary supplements: KICK grants specifically exclude funds to supplement salaries
  • New research institutes: Not currently establishing new endowed Kavli Institutes
  • Program extensions: Generally prefer new projects over extensions of ongoing research
  • Individual student support: Funding typically goes through institutions rather than directly to students

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership

President and CEO: Cynthia M. Friend, Ph.D. (2021-present) Dr. Friend is a distinguished chemist and the first female president of the foundation. She was a member of the Harvard University faculty since 1982, serving as Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and Associate Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. She was Harvard's first female chemistry chair and first female tenured professor in chemistry.

Chairman of the Board: Rockell N. Hankin

Board Structure

The foundation is governed by a board of directors that includes one Kavli family member and seven leaders from science, higher education, and business. The foundation president serves as an ex-officio member.

Kavli Charitable Trust

The Kavli Charitable Trust consists of two trustees - the presidents of Caltech and Stanford Universities - serving as an auxiliary mechanism to ensure the foundation stays true to its mission.

Previous Presidents

  • David Auston (2002-2009): Former president of Case Western Reserve University and Bell Labs scientist
  • Robert W. Conn (2009-2020): Served 12 years, oversaw significant expansion after Fred Kavli's estate was transferred

Leadership Philosophy

On the foundation's mission, Dr. Friend stated: "It is an honor to join The Kavli Foundation as president. The foundation provides an exciting opportunity to foster and support science for the benefit of humankind now and in the future. I am looking forward to working in partnership with The Kavli Foundation staff and with scientific leaders around the world."

On democratization of science: "We're embarking on a democratization of the way we think, collaborate, and communicate about scientific discoveries and their ethical aspects – and ensuring the public is included."

On public engagement: "This is a long-overdue beginning of an important journey for the scientific community, and we look forward to the impact the Kavli Centers for Ethics, Science, and the Public will have on the future role of science within society."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

General Process: The Kavli Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Applications are accepted through two primary mechanisms:

  1. Open Calls: The foundation occasionally issues open calls for specific initiatives. Prospective applicants must monitor the funding opportunities page at https://www.kavlifoundation.org/funding-opportunities for announcements.

  2. Invitation Only: Many programs operate on an invitation-only or nomination basis.

Application Portal: All applications must be submitted through the online portal at https://kavlifoundation.smapply.org. Applicants need to create an account or use an existing SurveyMonkey Apply account.

KICK Grants Specific Process:

  • Potential applicants are encouraged to contact the foundation in advance at science@kavlifoundation.org with the subject line "KICK Grant [year]"
  • KI directors should be informed prior to submission
  • Graduate students or postdocs must include a letter of support from their PI
  • Only applications submitted through the online portal will be considered
  • Annual deadline typically in late February

Decision Timeline

Letter of Intent Process (for some programs): Letters of intent are reviewed first. Those that are compelling scientifically and meet eligibility criteria are invited to submit full grant proposals.

Program-Specific Timelines:

  • KICK Grants: Review occurs after annual deadline; successful applicants contacted within several months
  • Partnership Programs: Varies significantly by program and partnership structure
  • No standardized timeline is publicly disclosed across all programs

Success Rates

The foundation is highly selective about who receives funds. Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. The foundation describes itself as "selective" but notes that "those awarded often enjoy tremendous freedom and receive long-term support."

Given the foundation's approach of invitation-only proposals and targeted open calls rather than open competition, traditional success rate metrics are not applicable to most programs.

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly disclosed. The foundation's approach of invitation-only proposals and occasional open calls means reapplication opportunities depend on:

  1. Future open call announcements for relevant programs
  2. Invitation to submit proposals for new initiatives

Note for KICK Grants: Projects ordinarily will not be renewed; however, a particularly successful program could be considered for a maximum of one renewal.

For specific questions about eligibility for future applications, contact science@kavlifoundation.org.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Alignment

Focus on Basic Science: The foundation exclusively funds fundamental, basic scientific research as opposed to translational or clinical applications. Proposals must clearly articulate how the work advances basic understanding in one of the four core fields.

Interdisciplinary Innovation: The foundation particularly values projects that bridge disciplines or bring together researchers from different Kavli Institutes. The KICK grants exemplify this priority by requiring collaboration between members of different institutes.

High Risk, High Impact: The foundation seeks "innovative, high risk/high impact projects." Successful proposals should articulate both the potential for breakthrough discoveries and acknowledge the inherent uncertainties of frontier research.

Examples of Recent Funded Projects

KICK Grant Projects (2025):

  • Developing new sensors for line intensity mapping to create 3D maps of the universe's history, with potential deployment at South Pole Telescope
  • Novel Materials for Dark Matter Detection (collaboration between KIPAC and KICP)

NiCE Program Projects:

  • Studies of how nervous systems mediate behavioral and physiological adaptation to anthropogenic environmental change
  • Research on neural responses to pollution and temperature shifts in natural ecosystems

Photonics and Neural Activity:

  • Collaborative research exploring innovative technologies to observe or control neural activity using photonic methods

Quantum Materials:

  • Partnership with Klaus Tschira Foundation on predicting and synthesizing 3D materials with quantum geometric effects, aiming for room-temperature superconductivity

Language and Terminology

The foundation consistently uses language emphasizing:

  • "Advancing science for the benefit of humanity"
  • "Basic research" rather than applied or translational research
  • "Breakthrough discoveries" and "transformative scientific ideas"
  • "Innovation" and "collaboration"
  • "Public understanding and support for scientists and their work"
  • "Democratization" of science and scientific communication

Application Tips

  1. Pre-Application Contact: For KICK grants, the foundation explicitly encourages contacting them in advance with questions or to verify eligibility.

  2. Institute Director Awareness: For KICK grants, ensure your Kavli Institute director is informed prior to submission.

  3. Monitor Opportunities Actively: Since unsolicited proposals aren't accepted, regularly check the funding opportunities page and sign up for announcements.

  4. Demonstrate Cross-Pollination: Proposals that leverage expertise across institutions or disciplines align with the foundation's collaborative values.

  5. Articulate Basic Science Focus: Clearly distinguish your basic research questions from any potential applications.

  6. Strategic Community Engagement: The foundation values guidance from the President's Advisory Committee and community-generated ideas. Engagement with Kavli Institute communities may increase visibility.

  7. Letter of Support for Early-Career Researchers: Graduate students and postdocs must secure PI support, demonstrating institutional backing.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No unsolicited proposals accepted: Success requires either receiving an invitation or responding to specific open calls. Actively monitor their funding opportunities page and build connections with Kavli Institute researchers.

  • Basic science only: The foundation explicitly excludes translational or clinical applications. Proposals must focus on fundamental scientific questions in astrophysics, nanoscience, neuroscience, or theoretical physics.

  • Collaboration is highly valued: Programs like KICK grants require cross-institute collaboration. Proposals demonstrating interdisciplinary approaches or bringing together diverse expertise are favored.

  • Think long-term and high-impact: The foundation seeks "transformative scientific ideas" and "high risk/high impact" projects. Conservative or incremental research proposals are unlikely to succeed.

  • Financial capacity for patient investment: With $1.1 billion in assets and $35 million annual giving, the foundation can support ambitious, long-term research. Successful applicants "enjoy tremendous freedom and receive long-term support."

  • Science and society connection matters: Under President Cynthia Friend's leadership, the foundation increasingly emphasizes public engagement, ethics, and democratization of science. Proposals incorporating these dimensions may be particularly timely.

  • Leverage Kavli Institute networks: If affiliated with or able to collaborate with one of the 20 Kavli Institutes worldwide, you have significantly better access to funding opportunities and program knowledge.

References

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