The Kavli Foundation invites Letters of Interest (LOIs) for projects to explore ethical considerations, understand public sentiment, and/or engage publics about the potential societal impacts and benefits of a basic science research project. This call is open to projects that include a scientist with a connection to The Kavli Foundation (e.g., members of Kavli Institutes, Kavli Prize Laureates, Kavli Professors, and current and former recipients of Kavli Foundation scientific grants, including FENS-Kavli Network Scholars.)
The following areas present opportunities for work to advance capabilities and scholarship to consider ethical and societal implications of discovery science:
Build an academic culture that values multidisciplinary collaborations among basic and applied scientists, social scientists, humanities scholars, and publics outside of academia (community leaders, non-profit groups, interested citizens, etc.).
Deepen relationships and proactively promote opportunities for conversation among basic scientists, social scientists, humanities scholars, and/or relevant members of the public.
Grow the understanding of the impact that occurs by exploring ethical implications of scientific discovery and including publics in discussions about basic science.
Strengthen and adapt specialized training of scientists to support consideration of the societal contexts surrounding future scientists’ research as well as collaborating with social scientists, humanities scholars, engagement experts, and publics.
Establish or strengthen infrastructure within academic science to engage communities outside academia.
Background
Discovery, or basic, science has the potential to transform our everyday lives, both through the accumulation of knowledge and by setting a foundation for major discoveries and/or technological applications. Yet, the same science that holds promise for progress can raise questions and concerns for society. Scientists are making important advances at an accelerated rate, and as the rate of progress and discovery increases, there is also a potential increase in societal and ethical considerations. Reports on scientific progress often acknowledge the need to consider ethical implications and engage those beyond the scientific discovery practice—other publics—more proactively in new areas of scientific discovery (e.g., genomics, organoid research, and artificial intelligence). Often this occurs past the ‘discovery’ phase, at the stage of medical or technological application, or when issues become controversial. Through this call for LOIs, the foundation seeks to continue to advance work that addresses these needs earlier in the basic science discovery process.
Grounded in a commitment to basic science and a strong relationship between science and society, The Kavli Foundation has been investing in efforts to explore engaging publics in ethical issues born from scientific discovery and empowering the scientists who are part of these research initiatives to navigate such issues. The foundation recognizes that new types of collaborations between publics and/or social scientists with life or physical scientists may be poised to consider potential implications of scientific discovery from different perspectives and in a more proactive manner than has traditionally been done.
Request for Letters of Interest
The Kavli Foundation seeks suggestions for projects that proactively identify, explore, or engage publics about ethical considerations of a basic scientific research project or endeavor. For a given basic scientific research question, topic, or advancement, projects should achieve one or more of the following:
Explore potential ethical implications and public views.
Empower equitable multidisciplinary collaboration among basic scientists, social scientists, humanities scholars, and/or civic engagement experts to explore and/or address ethical implications.
Scope what public groups might need to be engaged and how to connect with them.
Carry out a project that works with identified public groups about ethical or societal implications, including listening to the publics’ opinions and views.
Consider engaging with diverse audiences and bringing inclusive, equitable approaches to the work.
Reflect on or evaluate the impact of a project on the scientific enterprise and/or on the publics involved in the project.
If a project to explore ethical implications and/or engage publics is already underway, but is not evaluating its impact, LOIs may request funding for evaluation. Projects should include cross disciplinary collaboration between life or physical scientists and social scientists, humanities scholars, ethicists and/or other relevant experts or publics. Examples of projects might include, but are not limited to, support for the following (as they pertain to a basic scientific research question, topic, or advancement):
A goal-oriented colloquium series or symposium at a major scientific meeting on this topic, providing an opportunity for faculty, post-docs, and students to learn about and discuss relevant topics from diverse perspectives.
Consultation on the potential ethical or societal implications of discovery science.
Collaboration to conduct public opinion research on the societal implications and perspectives of discovery science.
A planning grant to scope, or a grant to execute, a project engaging public groups about ethical issues born from discovery science.
A planning grant to design a potential collaboration with scientists, ethicists, social scientists, civic leaders, etc.
Funding to augment an existing project exploring ethical issues born from basic scientific discovery by engaging public groups and/or evaluating the impact of engagement.
Proposals on the following topics are beyond the scope of this call and will not be considered:
Basic scientific research projects.
Work focused on health, medical or technology application that does not have a basic science component.
Projects on the ethical practice of doing science, including projects on ensuring ethical research conduct (e.g., treatment of animal subjects, replication, or navigating an Institutional Review Board).
Funds may be used to support projects that identify or carry out scholarship, public engagement activities, cross-departmental coordination, or other efforts that advance the understanding of the ethical or societal issues born from discovery science.
The application process will occur in two stages. Here, investigators are invited to submit a Letter of Interest (LOI) in the first stage. A few investigators will be invited to submit a full proposal. The number of proposals invited to the second stage will be dependent on the quality of the LOIs and their scope of budgets. The foundation will consider requests between $10,000 and $250,000 and is able to support up to 15% of indirect costs within this $250,000 limit. Project duration should be no more than 24 months. The foundation anticipates inviting full proposals with a range of costs and durations.
Eligibility
LOIs selected to advance will lead to awards to explore ethical implications and/or engage relevant public groups in areas of science supported by The Kavli Foundation. Projects should include scientists at Kavli Institutes, Kavli Prize Laureates, or current and former recipients of Kavli Foundation scientific grants, including FENS-Kavli Network Scholars, as meaningful contributors.
The Kavli-affiliated partner does not need to be a Principal Investigator (PI). Collaborators can be from a diversity of departments or institutions, including outside of academia. PIs may submit up to two LOIs.
Applicants for funding must be at a US or international institution of higher education, non-profit research organization, or affiliated with such an entity. For international awards, status equivalent to a US public charity or nonprofit educational institution may be required. The Kavli Foundation is unable to accept applications from individuals at organizations located in certain sanctioned territories.
How to Apply
Please click the APPLY button to access and submit your application. Be prepared to provide:
Project title.
Duration of project (in months).
PI(s) names. If Kavli affiliate is not a PI, indicate who this is and their relation to The Kavli Foundation.
Description of the proposed work, rationale, and how the proposed work will proactively advance the central goal of engaging publics in ethical considerations born from discovery science. You may include a list of disciplines or collaborators who will (or may) be involved. (1000 word limit).
References. (Optional 300 words).
Budget - Requested amount and a short justification. A detailed budget is not required. (200 word limit).
No additional materials or appendices will be considered. The intent of this request for Letters of Interest is to briefly communicate ideas and scope.
Timeline
This application will be available in July 2024 and submissions will close September 16, 2024 at 5PM PDT. Full proposals will be invited by October 15, 2024 and the deadline for full proposals will be communicated at the time of the full proposal invitation.
Resources and Questions
Information about related programs and projects supported by The Kavli Foundation:
Ethics and Public Engagement of Scientific Discoveries – Workshop Summary
Civic Science Fellowships – Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics and Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton University
Kavli Foundation Neurobiology and Changing Ecosystems - Kavli Exploration Awards and Kavli-Grass Fellows
Kavli Foundation Nanoscience for Sustainability
For any questions about this request for LOIs, contact The Kavli Foundation at apply@kavlifoundation.org .
Bringing Ethical Considerations and Public Engagement into Basic Science Research
The Kavli Foundation invites Letters of Interest (LOIs) for projects to explore ethical considerations, understand public sentiment, and/or engage publics about the potential societal impacts and benefits of a basic science research project. This call is open to projects that include a scientist with a connection to The Kavli Foundation (e.g., members of Kavli Institutes, Kavli Prize Laureates, Kavli Professors, and current and former recipients of Kavli Foundation scientific grants, including FENS-Kavli Network Scholars.)
The following areas present opportunities for work to advance capabilities and scholarship to consider ethical and societal implications of discovery science:
Build an academic culture that values multidisciplinary collaborations among basic and applied scientists, social scientists, humanities scholars, and publics outside of academia (community leaders, non-profit groups, interested citizens, etc.).
Deepen relationships and proactively promote opportunities for conversation among basic scientists, social scientists, humanities scholars, and/or relevant members of the public.
Grow the understanding of the impact that occurs by exploring ethical implications of scientific discovery and including publics in discussions about basic science.
Strengthen and adapt specialized training of scientists to support consideration of the societal contexts surrounding future scientists’ research as well as collaborating with social scientists, humanities scholars, engagement experts, and publics.
Establish or strengthen infrastructure within academic science to engage communities outside academia.
Background
Discovery, or basic, science has the potential to transform our everyday lives, both through the accumulation of knowledge and by setting a foundation for major discoveries and/or technological applications. Yet, the same science that holds promise for progress can raise questions and concerns for society. Scientists are making important advances at an accelerated rate, and as the rate of progress and discovery increases, there is also a potential increase in societal and ethical considerations. Reports on scientific progress often acknowledge the need to consider ethical implications and engage those beyond the scientific discovery practice—other publics—more proactively in new areas of scientific discovery (e.g., genomics, organoid research, and artificial intelligence). Often this occurs past the ‘discovery’ phase, at the stage of medical or technological application, or when issues become controversial. Through this call for LOIs, the foundation seeks to continue to advance work that addresses these needs earlier in the basic science discovery process.
Grounded in a commitment to basic science and a strong relationship between science and society, The Kavli Foundation has been investing in efforts to explore engaging publics in ethical issues born from scientific discovery and empowering the scientists who are part of these research initiatives to navigate such issues. The foundation recognizes that new types of collaborations between publics and/or social scientists with life or physical scientists may be poised to consider potential implications of scientific discovery from different perspectives and in a more proactive manner than has traditionally been done.
Request for Letters of Interest
The Kavli Foundation seeks suggestions for projects that proactively identify, explore, or engage publics about ethical considerations of a basic scientific research project or endeavor. For a given basic scientific research question, topic, or advancement, projects should achieve one or more of the following:
Explore potential ethical implications and public views.
Empower equitable multidisciplinary collaboration among basic scientists, social scientists, humanities scholars, and/or civic engagement experts to explore and/or address ethical implications.
Scope what public groups might need to be engaged and how to connect with them.
Carry out a project that works with identified public groups about ethical or societal implications, including listening to the publics’ opinions and views.
Consider engaging with diverse audiences and bringing inclusive, equitable approaches to the work.
Reflect on or evaluate the impact of a project on the scientific enterprise and/or on the publics involved in the project.
If a project to explore ethical implications and/or engage publics is already underway, but is not evaluating its impact, LOIs may request funding for evaluation. Projects should include cross disciplinary collaboration between life or physical scientists and social scientists, humanities scholars, ethicists and/or other relevant experts or publics. Examples of projects might include, but are not limited to, support for the following (as they pertain to a basic scientific research question, topic, or advancement):
A goal-oriented colloquium series or symposium at a major scientific meeting on this topic, providing an opportunity for faculty, post-docs, and students to learn about and discuss relevant topics from diverse perspectives.
Consultation on the potential ethical or societal implications of discovery science.
Collaboration to conduct public opinion research on the societal implications and perspectives of discovery science.
A planning grant to scope, or a grant to execute, a project engaging public groups about ethical issues born from discovery science.
A planning grant to design a potential collaboration with scientists, ethicists, social scientists, civic leaders, etc.
Funding to augment an existing project exploring ethical issues born from basic scientific discovery by engaging public groups and/or evaluating the impact of engagement.
Proposals on the following topics are beyond the scope of this call and will not be considered:
Basic scientific research projects.
Work focused on health, medical or technology application that does not have a basic science component.
Projects on the ethical practice of doing science, including projects on ensuring ethical research conduct (e.g., treatment of animal subjects, replication, or navigating an Institutional Review Board).
Funds may be used to support projects that identify or carry out scholarship, public engagement activities, cross-departmental coordination, or other efforts that advance the understanding of the ethical or societal issues born from discovery science.
The application process will occur in two stages. Here, investigators are invited to submit a Letter of Interest (LOI) in the first stage. A few investigators will be invited to submit a full proposal. The number of proposals invited to the second stage will be dependent on the quality of the LOIs and their scope of budgets. The foundation will consider requests between $10,000 and $250,000 and is able to support up to 15% of indirect costs within this $250,000 limit. Project duration should be no more than 24 months. The foundation anticipates inviting full proposals with a range of costs and durations.
Eligibility
LOIs selected to advance will lead to awards to explore ethical implications and/or engage relevant public groups in areas of science supported by The Kavli Foundation. Projects should include scientists at Kavli Institutes, Kavli Prize Laureates, or current and former recipients of Kavli Foundation scientific grants, including FENS-Kavli Network Scholars, as meaningful contributors.
The Kavli-affiliated partner does not need to be a Principal Investigator (PI). Collaborators can be from a diversity of departments or institutions, including outside of academia. PIs may submit up to two LOIs.
Applicants for funding must be at a US or international institution of higher education, non-profit research organization, or affiliated with such an entity. For international awards, status equivalent to a US public charity or nonprofit educational institution may be required. The Kavli Foundation is unable to accept applications from individuals at organizations located in certain sanctioned territories.
How to Apply
Please click the APPLY button to access and submit your application. Be prepared to provide:
Project title.
Duration of project (in months).
PI(s) names. If Kavli affiliate is not a PI, indicate who this is and their relation to The Kavli Foundation.
Description of the proposed work, rationale, and how the proposed work will proactively advance the central goal of engaging publics in ethical considerations born from discovery science. You may include a list of disciplines or collaborators who will (or may) be involved. (1000 word limit).
References. (Optional 300 words).
Budget - Requested amount and a short justification. A detailed budget is not required. (200 word limit).
No additional materials or appendices will be considered. The intent of this request for Letters of Interest is to briefly communicate ideas and scope.
Timeline
This application will be available in July 2024 and submissions will close September 16, 2024 at 5PM PDT. Full proposals will be invited by October 15, 2024 and the deadline for full proposals will be communicated at the time of the full proposal invitation.
Resources and Questions
Information about related programs and projects supported by The Kavli Foundation:
Ethics and Public Engagement of Scientific Discoveries – Workshop Summary
Civic Science Fellowships – Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics and Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton University
Kavli Foundation Neurobiology and Changing Ecosystems - Kavli Exploration Awards and Kavli-Grass Fellows
Kavli Foundation Nanoscience for Sustainability
For any questions about this request for LOIs, contact The Kavli Foundation at apply@kavlifoundation.org .