Opportunities to Invest

Graduate Fellows Endowment

Since 1999, the KITP Graduate Fellows Program has offered a unique opportunity for 12-16 outstanding graduate students to spend five months at KITP each year broadening their understanding of physics. Graduate Fellows are exposed to more ideas and scientists than at any other institution, which creates opportunities for them to develop broad perspectives, build networks, and engage in independent research during the formative years of their careers. With the mentorship of KITP Postdocs and faculty members, each fellow is encouraged to participate in current research programs and to give talks to the local academic community, offering invaluable experience and exposure.

KITP solicits nominations and applications from the entire international physics community, and our selection process is based on academic rigor, career readiness, and independence. Each cohort benefits from KITP’s commitment to hosting a diverse group of scientists from a variety of sub-fields and backgrounds year-round. With over half of former graduate fellows now serving in esteemed faculty positions and the rest in roles at national labs and in industry, KITP plays a central role in launching future scientific leaders.

Gifts to the KITP Graduate Fellows Endowment are invested as restricted funds to support the research and career development of KITP Graduate Fellows. 

Read the KITP Graduate Fellows Annual Report (2024) to learn more.

Postdoctoral Scholars Endowment 

The KITP Postdoctoral Scholars Program offers a highly competitive opportunity for exceptional early-career scientists to transition to impactful careers. KITP Postdoctoral Scholars benefit from mentorship by faculty while being afforded substantial intellectual independence to foster the launch of their own research. Immersion in KITP’s vibrant, interdisciplinary scientific environment provides broad exposure to the leading researchers and latest breakthroughs in physics.

We receive more than 700 applicants from all over the world for only four to five positions each year. There is a distinguished cohort of approximately 14 KITP Postdoctoral Scholars in residence annually with average appointments of three years. The bonds and collaborations our postdocs form while at KITP impact the institutions they join, collaborations they initiate, students they mentor, and industries they influence. The skills that they gain — learning how to ask important questions, look for patterns, take risks and collaborate within and outside of their fields of interest — are vital for their scientific careers and for the future of physics more broadly.

Gifts to the KITP Postdoctoral Scholars Endowment are invested as restricted funds to support the salaries and benefits of KITP Postdoctoral Scholars.

Read the KITP Postdoctoral Scholars Annual Report (2024-2025) to learn more.

Mitchel Postdoctoral Scholar Career Development Endowment

Glen H. Mitchel, Jr. was a lifelong Friend of KITP who became passionately engaged with the mission of the institute through participating in KITP’s outreach programming. Glen was instrumental in realizing the Charles T. Munger Physics Residence by introducing his good friend Charlie Munger to KITP Director Lars Bildsten. He provided incredible leadership and thoughtful oversight to achieve the vision of a purpose-built Residence for KITP’s visiting scientists and their families.

Throughout his lifetime, Glen generously supported KITP Postdoctoral Scholars who come to KITP to further their academic development as independent researchers. As a tribute to Glen’s legacy, this fund has been established to support KITP Postdocs with travel to professional or academic conferences, visits with collaborators, purchasing of essential equipment, and other efforts that give them exposure to the international scientific community and enhance the visibility of their own work.

Gifts to the Mitchel Postdoctoral Scholar Career Development Endowment are invested as restricted funds to support the professional development needs of KITP Postdoctoral Scholars.

Family Fund

Family responsibilities can be a barrier to participation in scientific programming, particularly for women. To address this constraint, KITP has undertaken initiatives to make our scientific programs and conferences more family-friendly.

The Family Fund offsets additional expenses scientists incur when bringing their families with them while visiting KITP. Recipients most often use Family Fund awards to cover childcare and travel costs for their children, partners, or accompanying caregivers.

The Charles T. Munger Physics Residence, which houses most visitors just over a mile away from Kohn Hall, has two-bedroom units, an indoor children’s play area, and an outdoor playground. This allows us to provide comfortable and welcoming accommodations to visiting families at no additional expense to them. Because securing local childcare is another major logistical burden, KITP partners with UC Santa Barbara’s daycare centers to guarantee a handful of spots for the children of our visitors.
 Gifts to the Family Fund underwrite awards to all eligible scientists who apply for funding.

Santa Barbara Advanced School of Quantitative Biology (QBio)

Since 2013, the Santa Barbara Advanced School of Quantitative Biology (QBio) has trained more than 300 early-career scientists to address fundamental problems in biology by applying methods and concepts from physical sciences, thereby accelerating the development of quantitative biology.

Students in the five-week course are advanced graduate students and postdocs with diverse backgrounds in physical, mathematical or life sciences, either theoretical or experimental. Projects are led by senior-level scientist volunteers who bring teaching assistants (TAs) to provide essential support in labs and discussions. QBio brings emerging scientists to the interface of physics and biology, creating a unique environment for achieving KITP’s mission of training the next generation of scientific leaders.

Gifts to the Santa Barbara Advanced School of Quantitative Biology (QBio) cover the costs of housing and travel for students and TAs, laboratory expenses, and course staff.