About the Sparks Funding Opportunity and Expectations
The foundation is now accepting funding applications for $7,500 to support researchers’ time to participate in the 2026 Sparks Program. Researchers who have a professional affiliation with a Kavli-funded organization (see below for details) are eligible to apply.
Changes and disruptions to the scientific enterprise are raising questions about the public’s connection to, trust in, and support of science. In light of this, The Kavli Foundation’s Science and Society department has created a virtual program for researchers focused on the complex relationship between science and society that includes how society connects to scientists, research, evidence, and information.
The program will occur in Fall 2026 and consist of three components: readings and resources from a curated list (8-10 popular pieces and articles, asynchronous), attending 5-6 90-minute virtual sessions (webinars and discussions) over a six-week period, and writing a short reflection piece. Information will draw from existing data, peer-reviewed scholarship, and best practices on:
- The publics’ relationship with science,
- Scholarship and practical information about how trust is built, and
- Concrete steps you can take and activities you can pursue that support public trust in science.
Information and data shared will draw largely, but not exclusively, from the U.S. context.
In addition to supporting researchers’ time to participate, this opportunity also includes support for travel to one or more of the following events. At these events, you are expected to have opportunities to be an ambassador of what you have learned through the Sparks Program. These funds may be used to travel to:
- A disciplinary society meeting.
- A meeting related to effective public engagement or trust in science (e.g., a conference).
- Discuss science with science and public discourse influencers (e.g., a trip to your state capitol or Washington, D.C. to talk with representatives or meet with community groups). The foundation can support trips for the purposes of education and listening. Funds cannot be used for advocacy or propaganda, attempts to influence legislation, to influence the outcome of a public election, or carry out, directly or indirectly, any voter registration drive.
Travel funds are included in the total amount awarded and are not in addition to the $7,500 of the award itself.
Anticipated timeline:
- August 10, 2026 – Applications Due
- August 26, 2026 – Applicants notified of funding decision and receive reading list, read independently (before start of virtual sessions)
- October 21, 2026 – Grants must be signed by host institutions by this date or funding is not guaranteed
- November and December 2026 – virtual sessions
- January 15, 2027 – Submit a short reflection piece
- Associated travel – within 12 months of signing the grant
How to Apply
Please click the APPLY button to access and submit your application for funding. Be prepared to provide:
- Name
- Affiliation
- Position Title / Type (e.g., Assistant Professor, Graduate Student, or Postdoc).
- Eligibility requirement: describe your connection to The Kavli Foundation (see below for more details).
- Documentation (e.g. a letter of referral) indicating advisor or supervisor supports your participation if selected (for graduate student and postdoctoral researcher applicants).
- Name & email address of the grants officer who will facilitate review and signing of an agreement with grantee host institution, if selected.
- Legal name of grantee host institution and US tax ID, if applicable. If domestic, institutions must have 501(c)(3) status. If international, see below for eligibility requirements.
- Why are you interested in this opportunity? This could include how this opportunity fits into your career, what you hope this will help you achieve, or other motivations. [250 words]
- Given the description of the resources and virtual sessions, what are you most interested in? Is there anything you are interested in that is not described? [75 words]
- What other exposure to this type of content have you had? [75 words]
- How might you imagine using or sharing what you learn? [100 words]
- How do you intend to use the travel funds in alignment with the charitable purpose to strengthen the relationship between science and society? If using for a specific meeting or conference, please provide the name, date, and location. [100 words]
If the number of applicants who meet the eligibility criteria and submit complete applications exceeds our ability to provide funding, applications may be selected via a randomized lottery in a way that is aligned with foundation strategy.
Eligibility
The foundation will only review applications from researchers who have a professional affiliation with a Kavli-funded organization. This includes Kavli Institute researchers (including recipients of Kavli Institute Innovation Awards), current and former recipients of Kavli Foundation science grants (including FENS-Kavli Network Scholars and Kavli-Grass Fellows), Kavli Professors, Kavli Scholars, and Kavli Prize Laureates. Members of the labs (e.g., graduate students or postdocs) of any individuals in the aforementioned categories are also eligible. Scientists whose sole Kavli affiliation is having attended a Kavli-sponsored meeting (e.g., Kavli Frontiers of Science, SciPEP) are not eligible to fulfill this criterion.
The foundation is accepting applications from researchers in the fields of astrophysics, nanoscience, neuroscience, or theoretical physics, with a particular interest in early career researchers. Graduate student and postdoctoral researcher applicants are eligible and will need to indicate support from their advisor or supervisor.
The foundation will not provide honoraria or direct payments to individuals. All formal agreements must be conducted through the researcher's affiliated institution, which maintains discretion over subsequent financial transactions.
Applicants for funding from The Kavli Foundation must be at a U.S. or international institution of higher education, non-profit research organization, or affiliated with such an entity. For international awards, status equivalent to a U.S. public charity or nonprofit educational institution is required. The Kavli Foundation is unable to accept applications from individuals at organizations located in certain sanctioned territories.
The Kavli Foundation’s Indirect Cost policy: Indirect costs of 15% of the direct project costs are allowable. The $7,500 amount is inclusive of any indirect costs. Indirect costs are not allowed on any endowments, operational grants, sponsorships, contracts, and capital expenditures. Direct costs are activity expenditures specifically attributable to a project. The maximum indirect rate and its application are non-negotiable.
Only fully completed applications submitted through The Kavli Foundation’s application portal will be considered.
Please click the APPLY button to access and submit your application for funding.
Applications due Monday, August 10, 2026 at 5PM PT
For any other questions, contact The Kavli Foundation at science.and.society@kavlifoundation.org.
Science and Society Sparks 2026
About the Sparks Funding Opportunity and Expectations
The foundation is now accepting funding applications for $7,500 to support researchers’ time to participate in the 2026 Sparks Program. Researchers who have a professional affiliation with a Kavli-funded organization (see below for details) are eligible to apply.
Changes and disruptions to the scientific enterprise are raising questions about the public’s connection to, trust in, and support of science. In light of this, The Kavli Foundation’s Science and Society department has created a virtual program for researchers focused on the complex relationship between science and society that includes how society connects to scientists, research, evidence, and information.
The program will occur in Fall 2026 and consist of three components: readings and resources from a curated list (8-10 popular pieces and articles, asynchronous), attending 5-6 90-minute virtual sessions (webinars and discussions) over a six-week period, and writing a short reflection piece. Information will draw from existing data, peer-reviewed scholarship, and best practices on:
- The publics’ relationship with science,
- Scholarship and practical information about how trust is built, and
- Concrete steps you can take and activities you can pursue that support public trust in science.
Information and data shared will draw largely, but not exclusively, from the U.S. context.
In addition to supporting researchers’ time to participate, this opportunity also includes support for travel to one or more of the following events. At these events, you are expected to have opportunities to be an ambassador of what you have learned through the Sparks Program. These funds may be used to travel to:
- A disciplinary society meeting.
- A meeting related to effective public engagement or trust in science (e.g., a conference).
- Discuss science with science and public discourse influencers (e.g., a trip to your state capitol or Washington, D.C. to talk with representatives or meet with community groups). The foundation can support trips for the purposes of education and listening. Funds cannot be used for advocacy or propaganda, attempts to influence legislation, to influence the outcome of a public election, or carry out, directly or indirectly, any voter registration drive.
Travel funds are included in the total amount awarded and are not in addition to the $7,500 of the award itself.
Anticipated timeline:
- August 10, 2026 – Applications Due
- August 26, 2026 – Applicants notified of funding decision and receive reading list, read independently (before start of virtual sessions)
- October 21, 2026 – Grants must be signed by host institutions by this date or funding is not guaranteed
- November and December 2026 – virtual sessions
- January 15, 2027 – Submit a short reflection piece
- Associated travel – within 12 months of signing the grant
How to Apply
Please click the APPLY button to access and submit your application for funding. Be prepared to provide:
- Name
- Affiliation
- Position Title / Type (e.g., Assistant Professor, Graduate Student, or Postdoc).
- Eligibility requirement: describe your connection to The Kavli Foundation (see below for more details).
- Documentation (e.g. a letter of referral) indicating advisor or supervisor supports your participation if selected (for graduate student and postdoctoral researcher applicants).
- Name & email address of the grants officer who will facilitate review and signing of an agreement with grantee host institution, if selected.
- Legal name of grantee host institution and US tax ID, if applicable. If domestic, institutions must have 501(c)(3) status. If international, see below for eligibility requirements.
- Why are you interested in this opportunity? This could include how this opportunity fits into your career, what you hope this will help you achieve, or other motivations. [250 words]
- Given the description of the resources and virtual sessions, what are you most interested in? Is there anything you are interested in that is not described? [75 words]
- What other exposure to this type of content have you had? [75 words]
- How might you imagine using or sharing what you learn? [100 words]
- How do you intend to use the travel funds in alignment with the charitable purpose to strengthen the relationship between science and society? If using for a specific meeting or conference, please provide the name, date, and location. [100 words]
If the number of applicants who meet the eligibility criteria and submit complete applications exceeds our ability to provide funding, applications may be selected via a randomized lottery in a way that is aligned with foundation strategy.
Eligibility
The foundation will only review applications from researchers who have a professional affiliation with a Kavli-funded organization. This includes Kavli Institute researchers (including recipients of Kavli Institute Innovation Awards), current and former recipients of Kavli Foundation science grants (including FENS-Kavli Network Scholars and Kavli-Grass Fellows), Kavli Professors, Kavli Scholars, and Kavli Prize Laureates. Members of the labs (e.g., graduate students or postdocs) of any individuals in the aforementioned categories are also eligible. Scientists whose sole Kavli affiliation is having attended a Kavli-sponsored meeting (e.g., Kavli Frontiers of Science, SciPEP) are not eligible to fulfill this criterion.
The foundation is accepting applications from researchers in the fields of astrophysics, nanoscience, neuroscience, or theoretical physics, with a particular interest in early career researchers. Graduate student and postdoctoral researcher applicants are eligible and will need to indicate support from their advisor or supervisor.
The foundation will not provide honoraria or direct payments to individuals. All formal agreements must be conducted through the researcher's affiliated institution, which maintains discretion over subsequent financial transactions.
Applicants for funding from The Kavli Foundation must be at a U.S. or international institution of higher education, non-profit research organization, or affiliated with such an entity. For international awards, status equivalent to a U.S. public charity or nonprofit educational institution is required. The Kavli Foundation is unable to accept applications from individuals at organizations located in certain sanctioned territories.
The Kavli Foundation’s Indirect Cost policy: Indirect costs of 15% of the direct project costs are allowable. The $7,500 amount is inclusive of any indirect costs. Indirect costs are not allowed on any endowments, operational grants, sponsorships, contracts, and capital expenditures. Direct costs are activity expenditures specifically attributable to a project. The maximum indirect rate and its application are non-negotiable.
Only fully completed applications submitted through The Kavli Foundation’s application portal will be considered.
Please click the APPLY button to access and submit your application for funding.
Applications due Monday, August 10, 2026 at 5PM PT
For any other questions, contact The Kavli Foundation at science.and.society@kavlifoundation.org.