The Kavli Prizes

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE KAVLI PRIZE AND LAUREATES, VISIT: WWW.KAVLIPRIZE.ORG

Science prizes for the 21st century, the Kavli Prizes recognize scientists for their seminal advances in three research areas: astrophysics, nanoscience and neuroscience. Consisting of a scroll, medal and cash award of one million dollars, a prize in each of these areas is awarded every two years beginning in 2008

Jan Fridthjof Bernt, President of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters. Kristin Clemet, the Norwegian Minister of Education and Research, and Fred Kavli (L to R) sign a partnership agreement establishing the Kavli Prizes.(Photo: Tor Richardsen/Scanpix)

The Kavli Prizes are presented in cooperation and partnership with the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, and the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. The prizes are awarded at a ceremony in Oslo, Norway – Kavli's native country – with the President of the Norwegian Academy presiding.

Independent of The Kavli Foundation, Kavli Prize recipients are chosen by three prize committees comprised of distinguished international scientists recommended by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the French Academy of Sciences, the Max Planck Society, the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and The Royal Society. After making their selection for Award recipients, the recommendations of these prize committees are confirmed by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters.

Kavli Prize in Astrophysics

The Kavli Prize in Astrophysics is awarded for outstanding achievement in advancing our knowledge and understanding of the origin, evolution and properties of the universe, and includes the fields of cosmology, astrophysics, astronomy, planetary science, solar physics, space science, astrobiology, astronomical and astrophysical instrumentation, and particle astrophysics.

Kavli Prize in Nanoscience

The Kavli Prize in Nanoscience is awarded for outstanding achievement in the science and application of the unique physical, chemical and biological properties of atomic, molecular, macromolecular and cellular structures and systems manifested in the nanometer scale. This includes molecular self-assembly, nanomaterials, nanoscale instrumentation, nanobiotechnology, macromolecular synthesis, molecular mechanics and related topics.

Kavli Prize in Neuroscience

The Kavli Prize in Neuroscience is awarded for outstanding achievement in advancing our knowledge and understanding of the brain and nervous system, including molecular neuroscience, cellular neuroscience, systems neuroscience, neurogenetics, developmental neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, computational neuroscience and related facets of the brain and nervous system.

2018 Kavli Prize Laureates

Seven scientists from 5 countries shared USD $1 million prizes in fields of astrophysics, nanoscience and neuroscience 

The 2018 Kavoi Prizes honored scientists who studied molecules in space and illuminated the life cycle of stars and planets, developed a tool to precisely edit DNA, and unlocked the neuroscience underlying human hearing.

The 2018 laureates are:

• Kavli Prize in Astrophysics: Ewine van Dishoeck (the Netherlands)
• Kavli Prize in Nanoscience: Emmanuelle Charpentier (France), Jennifer A. Doudna (USA), and Virginijus Šikšnys (Lithuania)
• Kavli Prize in Neuroscience: A. James Hudspeth (USA), Robert Fettiplace (UK), and Christine Petit (France)

“These Laureates represent truly pioneering science, the kind of science which will benefit humanity in a profound way. They will inspire both current and future generations to continue searching for answers to some of the most difficult questions of our time. Through their hard work, dedication and innovation, they have strengthened our understanding of existence,” says Ole M. Sejersted, President of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters.  Read more, including the citations, biographies and explanatory notes.

Past Presidential Visits by U.S. Laureates

The U.S. 2014 Kavli Prize Laureates in the Oval Office with President Barack Obama. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) Read story	President Barack Obama greets the U.S. 2012 Kavli Prize Laureates in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza) Read story
President Barack Obama meets with the U.S. Laureates of the 2010 Kavli Prize. (White House Photo by Pete Souza)  Read story	President George W. Bush meets with the U.S. Laureates of the 2008 Kavli Prize. Read story