Kavlifondet supports projects that are innovative and close real knowledge gaps. We step in where traditional funding sources fall short. Leading up to 2030, we are prioritizing two strategic initiatives: mental health for children and young people, and climate and the environment. In addition, we support research, particularly within health research, and humanitarian projects internationally.

Mental health for children and young people

Mental disorders are the most common cause of illness and social exclusion among young people in Norway. It is a crisis we can actually do something about if we allocate resources early enough. Kavlifondet prioritizes measures that prevent poor mental health, strengthen children and young people's ability to cope, and give them the tools they need to manage. We support both research and practical initiatives, because knowledge and action must go hand in hand.

In the period 2017–2024, we distributed 172 million kroner to research on mental health for children and young people through our programme in collaboration with Stiftelsen Dam.

Good solutions for climate and environment

The climate crisis demands solutions that work in practice, not just on paper. We support projects that contribute to responsible consumption and production, and concrete measures against food waste and environmental impact – in Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and internationally. We prioritize projects with documented, lasting effect. One example is Matsentralen, where Kavlifondet provided crucial support for the establishment of the first food bank in 2013. Today there are eight food banks in Norway.

Health research

All employees in the Kavli Group contribute to value creation that enables Kavlifondet to support good causes, and they are important ambassadors for our companies and the projects we support. One of the highlights of the group's year is the presentation of the employee gift, a scheme that gives employees the opportunity to influence which causes receive support.

In each country, the Kavli companies organise their own nomination and selection processes, before the allocations are decided by Kavlifondet's board, and the selected organisations are invited to a celebration and presentation of gift cheques together with the employees.

Engagement around the employee gift is strong, and the scheme gives employees a natural connection to Kavlifondet, and promotes pride, ownership and closeness to the group's social commitment.

Read more about the 2025 employee gift here.

Employee nominations

All employees in the Kavli Group contribute to value creation that enables Kavlifondet to support good causes, and they are important ambassadors for our companies and the projects we support. One of the highlights of the group's year is the presentation of the employee gift, a scheme that gives employees the opportunity to influence which causes receive support.

In each country, the Kavli companies organise their own nomination and selection processes, before the allocations are decided by Kavlifondet's board, and the selected organisations are invited to a celebration and presentation of gift cheques together with the employees.

Engagement around the employee gift is strong, and the scheme gives employees a natural connection to Kavlifondet, and promotes pride, ownership and closeness to the group's social commitment.

Read more about the 2025 employee gift here.

Proactive outreach

The Kavli Trust identifies most of the projects we support through proactive outreach. Our administration actively seeks out and selects initiatives within our priority areas.

We receive a high volume of inquiries and, unfortunately, are not able to review unsolicited applications or project information.

Board decisions

All funding decisions are made by the Board of the Kavli Trust.

Independent and unconventional

Kavli Trust support research that generates new knowledge where it is needed most

We are an independent actor, aiming to play a role where public funding falls short.

We strive to be a first responder for applied research that:

• Is innovative
• Bridges real knowledge gaps
• Lacks support from traditional sources of funding

Willing to take risks

We take risks to create real impact. To create real impact, sometimes you have to embrace uncertainty.

That’s why we also support early-stage projects—where the evidence base is still limited, but the potential for social impact is significant.

Partners in a shared mission

The Kavli Trust views all grant recipients are partners in a common project.

We connect people with shared goals to foster collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and learning. This means we set clear expectations regarding activities, outcomes, and methodology, but we are also committed to being a strong and supportive partner. We actively encourage co-creation and co-funding across our network of partners.

How we work

Selection of projects