The Kavli Foundation invites proposals to conduct 1- to 3-year research projects to advance fundamental understanding of the synthesis, characterization, or properties of macro-scale nano-network materials (NNMs).  Projects should aim to answer basic science questions around NNMs as a new materials class, including addressing fundamental science to understand how nano-network organization may give rise to unique emergent properties or enable new sustainable materials frameworks. 

The best proposals will describe projects that:  

• address fundamental scientific questions 
• have the potential to reshape understanding in the field 
• may involve significant scientific risk, but offer high potential insight

Projects that are topically incremental, optimization-focused, or application-driven without a strong underlying scientific question are not well-suited for this call and will be less competitive.

The application is a two-stage process. The first stage, which closed on May 21, 2026, letters of interest were solicited and received by The Kavli Foundation for the purpose of addressing project eligibility and alignment. In this second stage, institutions are invited to submit a full project proposal. 

Funding Summary

• Funding of up to $540k per year may be provided from The Kavli Foundation 
• Based on submitted proposals, match funds of partnerships may increase available funds 
• Project duration: 1-3 years with options for no-cost extensions 
• Expected funding allocation and project start date: Q4 2026 
• Indirect rate: up to 15% of allowable direct costs 

Project Application specifics  

• It is expected that proposed projects will be led by a single principal investigator (PI), nominated by the applying or host organization. 
• Collaborative projects are encouraged. Organizations may nominate or suggest additional individual investigators as part of the application to demonstrate capability and feasibility of conducting the project. 
• Proposals are encouraged, but not required, to include commitments of assets from other sources, such as matching funds or in-kind contributions. Letters of commitment or other evidence of participation from other sources are required as part of the full application. 
• Proposals must be for basic science investigations that will advance fundamental understanding of the synthesis, characterization, or properties of macro-scale nano-network materials (NNMs).  
• Preliminary data are not required, and scope of projects should be appropriate for the duration. 
• The proposal must include a Title (not to exceed 60 characters) and a Summary (not to exceed 500 words). 
• The proposal must include a scope of work document with the project activities, research approach, management plan, discussion of feasibility and risks, and a description of a nominated research team that has the capabilities needed to conduct the research. This document may be in PDF format but should not exceed 4000 words. A bibliography (not included in the word count) may be included. The format of the document is not specified, but the most competitive proposals will include concise responses to these points: 
  • Core Scientific Question: What is the fundamental question the project will answer? 
  • Why It Matters: What important gap or barrier will the work address? 
  • Transformative Potential: If successful, how would the outcomes change understanding in the field, or open new areas of inquiry? 
  • Plan: Is there a clear plan for scientific management of the project to ensure efficient collaboration and progress towards a specific goal? 
  • Key Risks: What are the main reasons the project might “fail”? 
  • Learning from “Failure”: What will be learned if the central idea is incorrect? 
  • Decisive Tests or Explorations: What activities will most directly generate insight? 
• A 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 intended accomplishments by the end of the project. The timeline will demonstrate a concrete and rational plan has been established to manage the project. As an exploratory, fundamental project, it is understood that changes to the timeline and milestones may become necessary, if justified by actual outcomes. 

Eligibility  

• Proposals must be submitted by the Office of Sponsored Research or by a similarly authorized officer of a U.S. or international institution of higher education or non-profit research organization by 5pm PST August 3, 2026 through the Kavli Funding Application Portal. This is not a limited submission opportunity (a qualified host organization may submit multiple proposals), but selective submission of proposals that are well-aligned with the goals of the call is strongly encouraged. 
  • Applications submitted by individual researchers will not be considered. Proposals must be submitted by an authorized officer of a host organization. 
• Applications for project funding must be from US or international institutions of higher education, or non-profit research organizations (the “Applicant Institution”). For international awards, status equivalent to a US public charity or nonprofit educational institution is required. The Kavli Foundation is unable to accept applications from Institutions located in certain sanctioned territories. 
• Grantee organization must pass an Equivalency Determination (ED). 
• Only fully completed applications submitted through the application portal will be considered. Contact The Kavli Foundation should there be difficulties with the online system.  

Review 

• Proposals will be reviewed by a panel of subject-matter experts; Individuals named in the proposed project may be contacted for suggestions for reviewers to include or avoid. 
• Proposals will be evaluated based on scientific impact, innovation, boldness and thoughtfulness of project design, alignment with the Foundation’s principles, and adherence to eligibility criteria. The most compelling proposals will:  
  • be driven by a specific, well-defined scientific question(s), not just a method, platform, or application 
  • work to produce enduring, foundational knowledge 
  • address important gaps or barriers blocking progress in NNMs 
  • generate insights that are broadly useful beyond a single system 
  • have the potential to open new directions of redefine existing directions 
  • challenge existing assumptions 
  • explore or enable unconventional ideas or approaches 
  • pursue questions that are difficult or currently intractable 
  • represent a step-change in thinking, more than extend existing approaches 
  • demonstrate thoughtful engagement with risk; risk is expected and encouraged but strong proposals will demonstrate an intellectual control of that risk, including explaining why the risks are scientifically meaningful 
  • convey compelling evidence that Kavli Foundation support might be catalytic for progress that might not otherwise occur or stimulate broader engagement and impact 
  • a proposal is competitive if it might “fail” for interesting reasons 
  • outline a project design that could generate decisive scientific insight, including experiments, models or analyses that have the potential to test core ideas or answer core questions 
  • demonstrate alignment between scientific ambition and requested resources 
  • leverage collaboration and complementary expertise to work effectively towards the common goals, where this could enable or accelerate progress 
  • efforts to broaden, strengthen or extend the scientific community are valued 
  • A proposal may be highly competitive even if feasibility is uncertain or outcomes are difficult to predict, provided that the scientific question is compelling and the potential insight is significant. 

Applications will be kept confidential to the extent possible, except as necessary for processing and evaluation. Full anonymity cannot be guaranteed.   

The application is an online form.    

All the information required to complete the form is specified in this document.  

To apply, click on the green Apply button in the upper right    

Proposals are due August 3, 2026 by 5:00 pm Pacific Time.    

Contact  science@kavlifoundation.org with any questions.