The Kavli Foundation
A philanthropic foundation that advances basic science, supports research institutions, and promotes public understanding of scientific work.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Kavli Foundation is a United States-based philanthropic organization focused on advancing science and strengthening public understanding of scientific research. Established in December 2000 by Norwegian-American entrepreneur and philanthropist Fred Kavli, the foundation was created to direct substantial philanthropic resources toward long-term, discovery-oriented research rather than toward commercial products or conventional consumer services. It is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. The foundation's work is organized around several major areas of scientific inquiry: astrophysics, nanoscience, neuroscience, and theoretical physics. Its principal institutional activity is the creation and support of Kavli Institutes at leading universities and research organizations. These institutes provide academic communities with dedicated platforms for basic research, scientific collaboration, training, and public engagement. The network extends across the United States, Europe, and Asia and includes institutions such as Stanford University, the University of Chicago, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Peking University, the University of Cambridge, the University of Tokyo, Cornell University, Delft University of Technology, the California Institute of Technology, the University of Oxford, Columbia University, Yale University, the University of California system, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Johns Hopkins University, Rockefeller University, and the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences. The foundation is also associated with the Kavli Prize, an international science award established in partnership with the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters and the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. Awarded biennially since 2008, the prize recognizes major contributions in astrophysics, nanoscience, and neuroscience. Recipients are selected through independent scientific committees and formally confirmed by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters. Each prize includes a medal, a scroll, and a cash award; the award has been described in the foundation's reference material as one million dollars for each research field. Fred Kavli built his fortune through Kavlico, a sensor-manufacturing company, and through real-estate investments in Southern California and Nevada. After his death in 2013, the remainder of his wealth passed to the foundation, reinforcing its role as the enduring vehicle for his scientific philanthropy. The foundation's leadership has included David Auston, a former Case Western Reserve University president and Bell Labs scientist, who served as its first president from 2002 to 2009, and Robert W. Conn, who led it from 2009 to 2020. Cynthia M. Friend is identified in the supplied reference material as the third president and the current president in 2025. Unlike a commercial brand, The Kavli Foundation does not primarily market products for sale. Its public identity is built around scientific institutions, prizes, research support, and a commitment to independent basic science. Its brand positioning combines elite scientific recognition with institution-building: the Kavli name appears on research institutes and awards intended to give scientists durable platforms for discovery while making the importance of scientific work more visible to the public.
History
The Kavli Foundation was established in December 2000 by Fred Kavli, a Norwegian-American business leader whose wealth came principally from the development of Kavlico, a company that manufactured sensors, and from real-estate investments in Southern California and Nevada. Kavli established the foundation as a vehicle for supporting science and increasing public appreciation of scientists and their work. Its purpose was philanthropic and institutional rather than commercial: the organization was designed to fund and foster research communities working on fundamental questions. The foundation began its formal leadership structure with David Auston, a former president of Case Western Reserve University and former Bell Labs scientist. Auston served as president from 2002 through 2009. His background in academic administration and scientific research reflected the foundation's effort to operate at the intersection of philanthropy, university science, and high-level research management. Robert W. Conn succeeded him and served as president from 2009 to 2020. A major element of the foundation's development was the creation and support of Kavli Institutes. Rather than concentrating solely on short-term grants, the foundation attached its name and resources to research centers at prominent universities. The institutes were organized around four broad scientific domains: astrophysics, nanoscience, neuroscience, and theoretical physics. Over time, the network came to include 20 institutes, giving the Kavli name a durable presence in laboratories and academic centers across North America, Europe, and Asia. Their activities cover subjects such as particle astrophysics, cosmology, astronomy, nanoscale science, energy nanoscience, brain science, systems neuroscience, fundamental neuroscience, and theoretical physics. The Kavli Prize became the foundation's most visible international recognition program. Created through a partnership with the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters and the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research, the prize has been awarded every two years since 2008 in astrophysics, nanoscience, and neuroscience. Three independent committees of distinguished scientists evaluate candidates. The committees are connected to recommendations from major scientific bodies including the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the French Academy of Sciences, the Max Planck Society, the United States National Academy of Sciences, and the Royal Society. The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters confirms the final selections. The prize's format combines a medal and scroll with a substantial cash award, giving it both symbolic and material significance. Fred Kavli died in 2013 and left the remainder of his wealth to the foundation. This bequest made the organization the continuing institutional steward of his philanthropic legacy. It also reinforced the foundation's long-term orientation: its activities could continue to be expressed through research institutes, scientific prizes, and programs aimed at public understanding rather than through the founder's direct personal involvement. In the leadership period identified by the supplied material, Cynthia M. Friend became the foundation's third president and was serving in that role in 2025. Under its successive presidents, The Kavli Foundation has remained centered on basic science and on the support of researchers and research environments. Its identity is consequently defined less by consumer-facing offerings than by the institutions, awards, and scientific communities that carry the Kavli name.
- 2025
Cynthia M. Friend serving as president
[1]Cynthia M. Friend is identified as the foundation's third president and current president in the supplied reference material.
- 2020
Robert W. Conn's presidency ends
[1]Robert W. Conn completed his tenure as president after leading the foundation from 2009.
- 2013
Fred Kavli dies and leaves wealth to the foundation
[1]Following Fred Kavli's death, the remainder of his wealth passed to The Kavli Foundation.
- 2009
Robert W. Conn becomes president
[1]Robert W. Conn succeeded David Auston as president and served through 2020.
- 2008
First Kavli Prizes awarded
[1]The Kavli Prize began its biennial recognition of research breakthroughs in astrophysics, nanoscience, and neuroscience.
- 2002
David Auston begins presidency
[1]David Auston became the foundation's first president, beginning a term that lasted until 2009.
- 2000
Foundation established
[1]Fred Kavli established The Kavli Foundation in December 2000 to advance science and improve public understanding of scientific work.
Products and positioning
A long-term, science-focused philanthropic foundation that combines institutional research support with international recognition of outstanding work in astrophysics, nanoscience, neuroscience, and theoretical physics.
Science prize · 2008
The Kavli Prize
The Kavli Prize is an international award recognizing major scientific breakthroughs in astrophysics, nanoscience, and neuroscience. It has been awarded every two years since 2008 through a partnership among The Kavli Foundation, the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, and the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. Independent scientific committees select nominees and recommendations, which are then confirmed by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters. Each field's award includes a scroll, medal, and cash component.
Research institute network
The Kavli Institutes
The Kavli Institutes are university- and research-organization-based centers supported or established under the Kavli name. The network covers astrophysics, nanoscience, neuroscience, and theoretical physics. Its institutes provide platforms for fundamental research and collaboration in areas including cosmology, astronomy, nanoscale science, brain science, systems neuroscience, and theoretical physics. The supplied reference material identifies 20 institutes across the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Brand decisions
2008
Launch of the Kavli PrizeProduct launchBackground
The foundation sought a visible international mechanism for recognizing exceptional work in fields central to its scientific mission.
Action taken
It partnered with the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters and the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research to create a biennial prize covering astrophysics, nanoscience, and neuroscience.
Aftermath
The prize became the foundation's principal public recognition program and has continued on a biennial basis.
Cash award per prize field. 1 million United States dollars (Reference material describes the award as one million dollars for each field; exact current terms should be verified.)
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