Program Overview
The Kavli Scholars grant program provides short-term bridge funding to scientists whose research has been significantly disrupted by unexpected circumstances. The program is designed to address unanticipated challenges, such as sudden loss of funding, institutional transition, natural disaster, or other unforeseen events, by enabling researchers to maintain research continuity and momentum.
Scientists conducting fundamental research in the fields of astrophysics, nanoscience, neuroscience, or theoretical physics may be eligible. While scientists at any postgraduate career stage may be eligible, nomination of early-career scientists (such as postdoctoral fellows or pre-tenure faculty) is encouraged, as short-term disruptions at these stages can have outsized and lasting impact.
By offering temporary, modest but flexible funds, The Kavli Foundation seeks to help researchers stabilize their research and re-establish a sustainable path forward.
Award Information
Kavli Scholar awards provide up to $100,000 per year, for a period of six months to a maximum of two years. Grants are issued directly to a host institution, which will administer funds in accordance with its policies and procedures.
Funding may be used for research-related expenses, as defined by the host organization.
Additional provisions:
- Up to 15% indirect costs are allowable on qualified expenses
- No-cost extensions may be approved by The Kavli Foundation; however, the Kavli Scholar designation may not extend beyond two years
- The Kavli Foundation does not provide visa sponsorship or immigration support
Eligibility
Nominee Eligibility
Nominees must:
- Be actively engaged in fundamental research in Astrophysics, Nanoscience, Neuroscience, or Theoretical Physics
- Have experienced a significant disruption that limits or eliminates their ability to continue research activities
- Demonstrate strong qualifications and clear potential to resume impactful research with short-term program support
Nominator Eligibility
Nominations may be made by:
- A Member or Director of a Kavli Institute
- Kavli Prize Laureates
- Kavli Professors
- Current Kavli-supported investigators
- Other Kavli-affiliated individuals, with approval from The Kavli Foundation
The nominator and scientific host may be the same individual but are not required to be.
Host Organization Eligibility
Awards may be administrated by any institute, university, laboratory or other research organization that is willing and able to host the nominee and administer the award. The host organization is not required to be a Kavli Institute.
If the host organization is a Kavli Institute, the Kavli Institute Director should be informed that a nomination is being submitted.
Nomination and Submission Process
The Kavli Scholars Program is nomination-based. Researchers may not apply directly.
Applications must be submitted by the host organization’s Office of Sponsored Research or comparable authorized administrative office through The Kavli Foundation’s online application portal.
Applications submitted directly by nominees or nominators will not be considered.
Prospective nominators may contact The Kavli Foundation in advance with questions regarding eligibility requirements and program fit.
Required Application Materials
- Nominator Information – Name and contact information, current position and affiliation
- Nominee Information – Name and contact information, current position and affiliation, CV or biosketch, current sources of funding
- Nomination Details – Field of study, requested duration of support, research summary/scope of work, budget request and justification
- Nomination Letter – Provided by the Kavli-affiliated nominator. The letter should include a description of the nominee’s qualifications and accomplishments, the nature of the research disruption, and the anticipated impact of the proposed support.
- Host Mentor/PI Letter of Support – Provided by the academic organization host, mentor, or principal investigator who will supervise or support the nominee’s research activities (including provision of space, if applicable).
- If the nominator is also serving as the scientific host or mentor, a single letter may satisfy both the Nomination Letter and Mentor/PI Letter requirements.
- For nomination of an independent researcher, a department-level academic liaison, and/or designated organizational authority (such as a Dean) is required
- Letter of Institutional Support – Provided by the host organization’s Office of Sponsored Research, or a comparable authorized entity. The letter should confirm institutional endorsement of the nominee, as well as the organization’s ability to host and administer the award.
Review Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- Significance and impact of the disruption
- Strength of the nominee’s scientific record and active research project topic
- Likelihood that Kavli Scholars support will restore research continuity and momentum
- Suitability of the proposed host organization
- Suitability and alignment of the requested budget and duration of support with the nominee’s situation
Timeline and notification
Nominations are reviewed twice annually, by June 15 and December 15, and the number of awards granted ranges from 0-3 per review cycle, at the discretion of The Kavli Foundation. Only one Kavli Scholar per host organization may be awarded at a time. Funding decisions are typically communicated within 3 to 4 weeks of the review process.
Questions?
Frequently asked questions about the program can be found here. For any other questions, contact science@kavlifoundation.org and include “Kavli Scholar” in the subject line.
Kavli Scholars
Program Overview
The Kavli Scholars grant program provides short-term bridge funding to scientists whose research has been significantly disrupted by unexpected circumstances. The program is designed to address unanticipated challenges, such as sudden loss of funding, institutional transition, natural disaster, or other unforeseen events, by enabling researchers to maintain research continuity and momentum.
Scientists conducting fundamental research in the fields of astrophysics, nanoscience, neuroscience, or theoretical physics may be eligible. While scientists at any postgraduate career stage may be eligible, nomination of early-career scientists (such as postdoctoral fellows or pre-tenure faculty) is encouraged, as short-term disruptions at these stages can have outsized and lasting impact.
By offering temporary, modest but flexible funds, The Kavli Foundation seeks to help researchers stabilize their research and re-establish a sustainable path forward.
Award Information
Kavli Scholar awards provide up to $100,000 per year, for a period of six months to a maximum of two years. Grants are issued directly to a host institution, which will administer funds in accordance with its policies and procedures.
Funding may be used for research-related expenses, as defined by the host organization.
Additional provisions:
- Up to 15% indirect costs are allowable on qualified expenses
- No-cost extensions may be approved by The Kavli Foundation; however, the Kavli Scholar designation may not extend beyond two years
- The Kavli Foundation does not provide visa sponsorship or immigration support
Eligibility
Nominee Eligibility
Nominees must:
- Be actively engaged in fundamental research in Astrophysics, Nanoscience, Neuroscience, or Theoretical Physics
- Have experienced a significant disruption that limits or eliminates their ability to continue research activities
- Demonstrate strong qualifications and clear potential to resume impactful research with short-term program support
Nominator Eligibility
Nominations may be made by:
- A Member or Director of a Kavli Institute
- Kavli Prize Laureates
- Kavli Professors
- Current Kavli-supported investigators
- Other Kavli-affiliated individuals, with approval from The Kavli Foundation
The nominator and scientific host may be the same individual but are not required to be.
Host Organization Eligibility
Awards may be administrated by any institute, university, laboratory or other research organization that is willing and able to host the nominee and administer the award. The host organization is not required to be a Kavli Institute.
If the host organization is a Kavli Institute, the Kavli Institute Director should be informed that a nomination is being submitted.
Nomination and Submission Process
The Kavli Scholars Program is nomination-based. Researchers may not apply directly.
Applications must be submitted by the host organization’s Office of Sponsored Research or comparable authorized administrative office through The Kavli Foundation’s online application portal.
Applications submitted directly by nominees or nominators will not be considered.
Prospective nominators may contact The Kavli Foundation in advance with questions regarding eligibility requirements and program fit.
Required Application Materials
- Nominator Information – Name and contact information, current position and affiliation
- Nominee Information – Name and contact information, current position and affiliation, CV or biosketch, current sources of funding
- Nomination Details – Field of study, requested duration of support, research summary/scope of work, budget request and justification
- Nomination Letter – Provided by the Kavli-affiliated nominator. The letter should include a description of the nominee’s qualifications and accomplishments, the nature of the research disruption, and the anticipated impact of the proposed support.
- Host Mentor/PI Letter of Support – Provided by the academic organization host, mentor, or principal investigator who will supervise or support the nominee’s research activities (including provision of space, if applicable).
- If the nominator is also serving as the scientific host or mentor, a single letter may satisfy both the Nomination Letter and Mentor/PI Letter requirements.
- For nomination of an independent researcher, a department-level academic liaison, and/or designated organizational authority (such as a Dean) is required
- Letter of Institutional Support – Provided by the host organization’s Office of Sponsored Research, or a comparable authorized entity. The letter should confirm institutional endorsement of the nominee, as well as the organization’s ability to host and administer the award.
Review Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- Significance and impact of the disruption
- Strength of the nominee’s scientific record and active research project topic
- Likelihood that Kavli Scholars support will restore research continuity and momentum
- Suitability of the proposed host organization
- Suitability and alignment of the requested budget and duration of support with the nominee’s situation
Timeline and notification
Nominations are reviewed twice annually, by June 15 and December 15, and the number of awards granted ranges from 0-3 per review cycle, at the discretion of The Kavli Foundation. Only one Kavli Scholar per host organization may be awarded at a time. Funding decisions are typically communicated within 3 to 4 weeks of the review process.
Questions?
Frequently asked questions about the program can be found here. For any other questions, contact science@kavlifoundation.org and include “Kavli Scholar” in the subject line.