The Kavli Prize
Honoring scientists for breakthroughs that transform our understanding of the natural world
The Kavli Prizes are awarded in three areas: astrophysics, nanoscience and neuroscience – the largest, the smallest and the most complex. I believe these prizes are in the most exciting fields for the twenty-first century and beyond.
– Fred Kavli
Established in 2005, The Kavli Prize is a partnership among The Kavli Foundation, The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, and The Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. Since the first awards in 2008, The Kavli Prize has recognized innovative scientific research—from the discovery of CRISPR-Cas9 to the detection of gravitational waves.
Every other year, three prizes of $1 million each are bestowed in the fields of astrophysics, nanoscience and neuroscience, or what our founder coined as “the big, the small and the complex.” Fred Kavli believed these prizes to be a great way to honor scientists and recognize outstanding research, while also promoting and celebrating science with the public—inspiring and encouraging their curiosity, support and appreciation of science.
The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters approves the laureates based on unanimous recommendations from three Kavli Prize selection committees, one for each scientific field in which the prize is awarded. The committees are comprised of five members each, and the members are nominated by international science academies.
We honor and celebrate our scientists — our Kavli Prize winners — for their work and for their contribution to humanity’s splendid journey. The Kavli Prizes are a token of The Kavli Foundation’s enduring commitment to science and to our fuller understanding of human beings, nature and the universe.
– Fred Kavli
More Prizes and Awards
AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards
The AAAS Kavli Science Journalism Awards are an internationally recognized measure of excellence in science journalism and are awarded annually to individuals for coverage of the sciences, engineering and mathematics.
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Royal Society Kavli Medals
The Kavli Foundation supports two Royal Society medals honoring achievements in science and education.
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