Robert W. Conn to Receive the Vannevar Bush Award

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – July 11, 2025 - Robert (Bob) Conn, President Emeritus of The Kavli Foundation and Dean and Professor Emeritus at the University of California San Diego’s Jacobs School of Engineering, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Vannevar Bush Award, the National Science Board’s highest honor. This award recognizes Dr. Conn’s work spanning fusion engineering, science advising, and leadership in science philanthropy.

The Vannevar Bush Award was established in 1980 to honor lifelong leaders in the fields of science and technology, who have distinguished themselves through intellectual excellence, public service, and major contributions to society.

“In these difficult times for science, it is an unexpected pleasure and true honor to receive this extraordinary award. Named for President Roosevelt’s science advisor and author of the post-World War II strategy for science, the economy, and national defense in America, I am proud to take just one step in his footsteps,” said Dr. Conn.

Dr. Conn joined The Kavli Foundation as its second president in 2009. Through his leadership, he helped establish several endowed Kavli Institutes at world-class universities around the globe and advocated for nationwide funding of scientific research. A notable achievement was the formation of the U.S. Brain Initiative, which garnered $250 million in philanthropic funding and $500 million of U.S. federal support.

"The Board of The Kavli Foundation celebrates Bob Conn's well-deserved recognition for his lifelong contributions to our scientific enterprise, including his leadership of the Foundation during pivotal years," said Rock Hankin, Chairman of the Board at The Kavli Foundation.

Dr. Conn was a co-founder of the Science Philanthropy Alliance, alongside four other foundation leaders. The mission of the Alliance is “to advance scientific discovery through visionary philanthropy.” The Alliance has established a network of science funders through advising and convening.

Dr. Conn also played a significant part in shaping science policy, including highlighting the role of philanthropy in supporting the scientific enterprise. He was influential in the publication of “The Next 75 Years of Science Policy” as a contributor. This publication, which was based in part on the eponymous conference which he also helped organize and support, brings together a variety of science and policy experts that laid out ideas for how to revitalize the science and engineering landscape and formulate new science policy goals in the 21^st century.

“Bob’s contributions to science policy are another example of his visionary leadership; by creating space to think long-term while enabling a marketplace of ideas from diverse constituents and beneficiaries of science,” said Brooke Smith, Director of Science and Society at The Kavli Foundation, who worked closely with Dr. Conn on the development of “The Next 75 Years of Science Policy.”

“The Kavli Foundation is thrilled that Bob Conn, an exemplary leader, has been selected for this prestigious award,” said Cynthia Friend, the current President and CEO of The Kavli Foundation. “His contributions to engineering, government, and science philanthropy merit this high honor. We congratulate Bob.”

The award will be presented at the National Science Foundation meeting in July.

About The Kavli Foundation

The Kavli Foundation was established by Fred Kavli in 2000 with a vision to advance science for the benefit of humanity. The Kavli Foundation’s mission is to stimulate basic research in astrophysics, nanoscience, neuroscience, and theoretical physics; strengthen the relationship between science and society; and honor scientific discoveries through The Kavli Prize.

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