Note: the original timeline announced included an error stating that the program continues into 2026. The Sparks program will conclude by December 31, 2025. Travel may continue into 2026. The timeline below is updated and accurate.
This is Phase II of a two-phase application process. Based on the results of Phase I: Expressions of Interest, The Kavli Foundation invites applications for funding to learn about the complex relationship between science and society. The foundation is grateful for the excellent Expressions of Interest in Phase I and is not pursuing public engagement project funding.
About the Sparks Opportunity and Expectations
Swift 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 is creating a virtual program focused on the complex relationship between science and society that includes how society connects to scientists, research, evidence, and information. In Phase II, the foundation is accepting funding applications to support researchers’ time to participate in this program.
The program will occur in Fall 2025 and consist of three components: readings and resources from a curated list (8-10 journal articles/pieces, asynchronous), attending 3-5 virtual sessions (webinars and discussions), and writing a short reflection. Information will draw from existing data, peer-reviewed scholarship, and best practices on:
- The publics’ relationship with science,
- How to build trust, 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.
This opportunity also includes support for travel to one or more of the following, where you are expected to be an ambassador of what you learned:
- A disciplinary society meeting.
- Travel to 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, or to influence the outcome of a public election.
- A meeting related to effective public engagement or trust in science.
Anticipated timeline:
- September 5, 2025 – Applications Due
- September 19, 2025 – Applicants notified of decision and receive reading list, read independently (before start of virtual sessions)
- October 31, 2025 – Grants should be signed by your institution by this date or funding is not guaranteed
- November and December 2025 – virtual sessions
- December 2025 – write and 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 Postdoctoral Researcher)
- Eligibility requirement: describe your connection to The Kavli Foundation (see below for more details)
- Did you submit an Expression of Interest in Phase I?
- Documentation indicating advisor or supervisor supports your participation if selected (for graduate student and postdoctoral researcher applicants).
- Administrative Contact / Grants Manager full name
- Administrative Contact / Grants Manager email address
- Legal name of organization
- Total request ($5,000 + travel request of up $2,500)
- 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? If using for a specific meeting or conference, please provide the name, date, and location. [100 words]
- Provide a short justification for the proposed travel (up to $2,500). A detailed budget is not required. Please request only what you need. [50 words]
If you submitted an Expression of Interest for this opportunity in Phase I, that information will not be used to review your Phase II application. Feel free to repurpose any information that you have already shared in this Phase II application.
Eligibility
Due to the level of interest in this program, only individuals who submitted an Expression Interest in Phase I and their lab members are eligible to submit an application in Phase II.
The foundation will only review applications from researchers with a connection to The Kavli Foundation. 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. 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 financial transactions and formal agreements must be conducted through the researcher's affiliated institution.
Applicants for funding from The Kavli Foundation 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.
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 Friday, September 5, 2025 at 5PM PT
For any other questions, contact The Kavli Foundation at science.and.society@kavlifoundation.org.
Science and Society Sparks Phase II
Note: the original timeline announced included an error stating that the program continues into 2026. The Sparks program will conclude by December 31, 2025. Travel may continue into 2026. The timeline below is updated and accurate.
This is Phase II of a two-phase application process. Based on the results of Phase I: Expressions of Interest, The Kavli Foundation invites applications for funding to learn about the complex relationship between science and society. The foundation is grateful for the excellent Expressions of Interest in Phase I and is not pursuing public engagement project funding.
About the Sparks Opportunity and Expectations
Swift 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 is creating a virtual program focused on the complex relationship between science and society that includes how society connects to scientists, research, evidence, and information. In Phase II, the foundation is accepting funding applications to support researchers’ time to participate in this program.
The program will occur in Fall 2025 and consist of three components: readings and resources from a curated list (8-10 journal articles/pieces, asynchronous), attending 3-5 virtual sessions (webinars and discussions), and writing a short reflection. Information will draw from existing data, peer-reviewed scholarship, and best practices on:
- The publics’ relationship with science,
- How to build trust, 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.
This opportunity also includes support for travel to one or more of the following, where you are expected to be an ambassador of what you learned:
- A disciplinary society meeting.
- Travel to 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, or to influence the outcome of a public election.
- A meeting related to effective public engagement or trust in science.
Anticipated timeline:
- September 5, 2025 – Applications Due
- September 19, 2025 – Applicants notified of decision and receive reading list, read independently (before start of virtual sessions)
- October 31, 2025 – Grants should be signed by your institution by this date or funding is not guaranteed
- November and December 2025 – virtual sessions
- December 2025 – write and 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 Postdoctoral Researcher)
- Eligibility requirement: describe your connection to The Kavli Foundation (see below for more details)
- Did you submit an Expression of Interest in Phase I?
- Documentation indicating advisor or supervisor supports your participation if selected (for graduate student and postdoctoral researcher applicants).
- Administrative Contact / Grants Manager full name
- Administrative Contact / Grants Manager email address
- Legal name of organization
- Total request ($5,000 + travel request of up $2,500)
- 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? If using for a specific meeting or conference, please provide the name, date, and location. [100 words]
- Provide a short justification for the proposed travel (up to $2,500). A detailed budget is not required. Please request only what you need. [50 words]
If you submitted an Expression of Interest for this opportunity in Phase I, that information will not be used to review your Phase II application. Feel free to repurpose any information that you have already shared in this Phase II application.
Eligibility
Due to the level of interest in this program, only individuals who submitted an Expression Interest in Phase I and their lab members are eligible to submit an application in Phase II.
The foundation will only review applications from researchers with a connection to The Kavli Foundation. 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. 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 financial transactions and formal agreements must be conducted through the researcher's affiliated institution.
Applicants for funding from The Kavli Foundation 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.
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 Friday, September 5, 2025 at 5PM PT
For any other questions, contact The Kavli Foundation at science.and.society@kavlifoundation.org.