The Kavli Foundation invites proposals for 3- to 5-year research projects involving the construction of new instrumentation for existing ground-based telescopes with apertures in the range of 2 to 5 meters, to explore scientific phenomena in the optical or near-infrared wavelengths.
Funding Details
- Up to $1.0M per year from The Kavli Foundation
- Based on submitted proposals, potential partnerships may increase available funds; proposals should consider options for expansion of scope or capability in project design
- Project duration: 3-5 years, with options for no-cost extensions
- Expected funding start time: Q4 2025
- Indirect rate: up to 15% of allowable direct costs
Application and funding specifics
- Proposals must be for new projects and involve 1) the construction of a new instrument for an existing ~2-5m ground-based telescope that features a new technical capability; and 2) the use of that new capability to conduct a scientific investigation in the optical or near-infrared wavelengths.
- A letter of commitment from a partner observatory must be included, describing an arrangement for use of a new instrument to conduct the proposed investigation.
- Projects are encouraged, but not required, to include commitments of assets from other sources, such as matching funds or in-kind contributions. Provide letters of commitment from any proposed partner or resource collaboration.
- Preliminary data are not required, and scope of projects should be appropriate for the duration.
- Proposed budget and expense categories must be included: salary, travel, equipment, data management, supplies, or other research expenses.
- A project timeline must be included, with milestones and suggested evaluation checkpoints, including criteria for success and recommended accomplishments by the end of the project.
- If a project would benefit in a specific way from additional funding beyond $1.0M for 3-5 years, such as additional follow-on analysis, extra capability, or some other auxiliary activity/feature, include a description and budget for this additional scope of work.
- The deadline for proposal submission is 5:00pm PDT May 16, 2025. Applications will only be accepted via the Foundation’s application portal: https://kavlifoundation.smapply.org/prog/IFA2025.
Eligibility
- Applicants must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent degree.
- Each participating scientist must be affiliated with a U.S. or international institution of higher education or non-profit research organization.
- Grantee organization must pass an Equivalency Determination (ED).
- Only fully completed applications submitted through The Kavli Foundation’s application portal will be considered.
Review
- Evaluation of applications will be based on alignment with program goals as described in the “Application and funding specifics” section, scientific impact, innovation, feasibility, alignment with the Foundation’s principles, and adherence to eligibility criteria.
- Proposals will be reviewed by a panel of experts; applicants may be contacted for suggestions for reviewers to include or avoid.
- Applications will be kept confidential to the extent possible, except as necessary for processing and evaluation. Full anonymity cannot be guaranteed.
Instructions for Proposal Submission
Each applicant should have one Project Application submitted using The Kavli Foundation’s application portal. The proposal consists of the following sections in the application portal, which must be completed in full:
- Applicant details
- Name, email, organization and job title
- ORCiD URL or identifier (optional)
- 2-page CV or NSF-style biosketch
- Administrative contact information
- Proposal Details
- Proposal Title (maximum 60 characters including spaces)
- Proposal Summary: Project purpose & goals (maximum 500 words)
- Expected outcomes: Explain the scientific premise, and ways the project addresses an important problem or critical barrier. Explain the expected contribution to progress in the field, and how the project could create new concepts, methods, or direction (maximum 500 words)
- Scope of work: Include the project activities, research approach, management plan, a discussion of feasibility and risk identification/management, and a description of the project team (maximum 4000 words)
- Supporting figures (optional, maximum of 2)
- Project timeline with milestones: Provide milestones during and at the endpoint of the project to evaluate progress and deliverables that may be used to measure the success of the project. Include criteria for success and expected accomplishments by project completion.
- Budget with line-itemized costs: salary support, travel, equipment, data management, supplies, or other research expenses
- Letter of commitment from a partner observatory
- Letter of commitment from other source(s) (optional)
- Bibliographic references (maximum 250 words)
Statement on inclusion
The Kavli Foundation is a catalyst for advancing scientific research, strengthening the relationship between science and society, and honoring scientific achievement. We are dedicated to the belief that scientific excellence can come from anyone, anywhere and is enriched by diverse perspectives, skills, and ways of thinking. We believe the scientific community should reflect the rich diversity of the globe - in race, gender, age, cultures, and beliefs - and we support this diversity through our grant making practices. All applicants will benefit from equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to race, color, age, religion, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and prior protected activity.
The Kavli Foundation encourages open sharing of research outputs, including publications, datasets, software/code, and materials/reagents. Wherever feasible, research findings should be openly disseminated through preprints and published under an Open Access license.
To apply, click on the green Apply button in the upper right.
Proposals due May 16, 2025, by 5:00pm Pacific Time.
Please contact science@kavlifoundation.org with any questions.
Instrumentation for Astrophysics: New capabilities for existing telescopes
The Kavli Foundation invites proposals for 3- to 5-year research projects involving the construction of new instrumentation for existing ground-based telescopes with apertures in the range of 2 to 5 meters, to explore scientific phenomena in the optical or near-infrared wavelengths.
Funding Details
- Up to $1.0M per year from The Kavli Foundation
- Based on submitted proposals, potential partnerships may increase available funds; proposals should consider options for expansion of scope or capability in project design
- Project duration: 3-5 years, with options for no-cost extensions
- Expected funding start time: Q4 2025
- Indirect rate: up to 15% of allowable direct costs
Application and funding specifics
- Proposals must be for new projects and involve 1) the construction of a new instrument for an existing ~2-5m ground-based telescope that features a new technical capability; and 2) the use of that new capability to conduct a scientific investigation in the optical or near-infrared wavelengths.
- A letter of commitment from a partner observatory must be included, describing an arrangement for use of a new instrument to conduct the proposed investigation.
- Projects are encouraged, but not required, to include commitments of assets from other sources, such as matching funds or in-kind contributions. Provide letters of commitment from any proposed partner or resource collaboration.
- Preliminary data are not required, and scope of projects should be appropriate for the duration.
- Proposed budget and expense categories must be included: salary, travel, equipment, data management, supplies, or other research expenses.
- A project timeline must be included, with milestones and suggested evaluation checkpoints, including criteria for success and recommended accomplishments by the end of the project.
- If a project would benefit in a specific way from additional funding beyond $1.0M for 3-5 years, such as additional follow-on analysis, extra capability, or some other auxiliary activity/feature, include a description and budget for this additional scope of work.
- The deadline for proposal submission is 5:00pm PDT May 16, 2025. Applications will only be accepted via the Foundation’s application portal: https://kavlifoundation.smapply.org/prog/IFA2025.
Eligibility
- Applicants must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent degree.
- Each participating scientist must be affiliated with a U.S. or international institution of higher education or non-profit research organization.
- Grantee organization must pass an Equivalency Determination (ED).
- Only fully completed applications submitted through The Kavli Foundation’s application portal will be considered.
Review
- Evaluation of applications will be based on alignment with program goals as described in the “Application and funding specifics” section, scientific impact, innovation, feasibility, alignment with the Foundation’s principles, and adherence to eligibility criteria.
- Proposals will be reviewed by a panel of experts; applicants may be contacted for suggestions for reviewers to include or avoid.
- Applications will be kept confidential to the extent possible, except as necessary for processing and evaluation. Full anonymity cannot be guaranteed.
Instructions for Proposal Submission
Each applicant should have one Project Application submitted using The Kavli Foundation’s application portal. The proposal consists of the following sections in the application portal, which must be completed in full:
- Applicant details
- Name, email, organization and job title
- ORCiD URL or identifier (optional)
- 2-page CV or NSF-style biosketch
- Administrative contact information
- Proposal Details
- Proposal Title (maximum 60 characters including spaces)
- Proposal Summary: Project purpose & goals (maximum 500 words)
- Expected outcomes: Explain the scientific premise, and ways the project addresses an important problem or critical barrier. Explain the expected contribution to progress in the field, and how the project could create new concepts, methods, or direction (maximum 500 words)
- Scope of work: Include the project activities, research approach, management plan, a discussion of feasibility and risk identification/management, and a description of the project team (maximum 4000 words)
- Supporting figures (optional, maximum of 2)
- Project timeline with milestones: Provide milestones during and at the endpoint of the project to evaluate progress and deliverables that may be used to measure the success of the project. Include criteria for success and expected accomplishments by project completion.
- Budget with line-itemized costs: salary support, travel, equipment, data management, supplies, or other research expenses
- Letter of commitment from a partner observatory
- Letter of commitment from other source(s) (optional)
- Bibliographic references (maximum 250 words)
Statement on inclusion
The Kavli Foundation is a catalyst for advancing scientific research, strengthening the relationship between science and society, and honoring scientific achievement. We are dedicated to the belief that scientific excellence can come from anyone, anywhere and is enriched by diverse perspectives, skills, and ways of thinking. We believe the scientific community should reflect the rich diversity of the globe - in race, gender, age, cultures, and beliefs - and we support this diversity through our grant making practices. All applicants will benefit from equality of opportunity and fair treatment without regard to race, color, age, religion, pregnancy, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and prior protected activity.
The Kavli Foundation encourages open sharing of research outputs, including publications, datasets, software/code, and materials/reagents. Wherever feasible, research findings should be openly disseminated through preprints and published under an Open Access license.
To apply, click on the green Apply button in the upper right.
Proposals due May 16, 2025, by 5:00pm Pacific Time.
Please contact science@kavlifoundation.org with any questions.