Kavli Prize is a biennial academic recognizing excellence in Science. Organized by The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, it covers the Global region. Established in 2008.
The Kavli Prize honors scientists for breakthroughs in astrophysics, nanoscience and neuroscience — the science of the big, the small and the complex. It is a partnership between the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, which administers the selection and ceremony, the Kavli Foundation, which funds the awards and medals, and the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. Endowed by Norwegian-American philanthropist Fred Kavli and first awarded in 2008, its laureates are chosen by three field committees appointed by the Academy based on recommendations from international academies and scientific organizations.
Each of the three fields carries a US$1 million award, often shared among several scientists credited with the same breakthrough, presented at a ceremony in Oslo presided over by the Norwegian royal family. The prize has quickly become one of science's heavyweight honors: 73 scientists from 14 countries have been recognized to date, ten of whom went on to receive the Nobel Prize — a track record that makes a Kavli Prize a serious predictor of a career's historical weight.
Nominations are free and open to anyone, though self-nominations are not accepted and nominees must be living. The window closes on 1 October in odd-numbered years, with laureates announced the following June — the 2026 laureates were named on 10 June 2026. A nomination requires the candidate's CV and a letter making the case for the discovery and its impact (up to three individuals may share one nomination), and submissions stay active for two additional cycles, so unsuccessful nominations can be updated and resubmitted. Build the letter around one clearly defined breakthrough rather than a career retrospective.