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Trondheim Foundation for Scientific Research (TFSR) is the research fund of the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), and has the sole purpose of providing direct financial support for brain research at the institute led by May-Britt Moser and Edvard Moser. The foundation was founded by Fred Kavli on 4 July, 2008. The Norwegian name is "Trondheim stiftelse til nevrovitenskapelig forskning".

The Mission

The foundation's mission is to manage the funds and to pay annually "an amount equivalent of not less than 3 percent nor more than to 5 percent of the net fair market value of the foundations total capital as set forth in the foundation's official accounts for the previous year" (Article 7 of Articles of Incorporation).

As of today, TFSR has awarded the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience NOK 41.165 million.

The Endowment

The foundation's endowment has risen steadily since its establishment in 2008, and is per 31 December 2020 NOK 172 million. About half of the  endowment are contributions from The Kavli Foundation in the United States. Together with the Kavli Institute, we aim at increasing the total endowment to a minimum of NOK 250 million by the end of 2025.

The foundation has received contributions from individuals, companies and organizations, as well as testamentary gifts. In the autumn of 2015, TFSR received a great gift from Pauline Braathen and Egil Braathen's nieces and nephew. In 2020, the foundation received a large gift from Ensliges Landsforbund due to the association’s decision to be wound up. We have also received large gifts from other individuals and families.

Management Strategy

The foundation's investment strategy involves moderate risk exposure. The strategy was updated by the Board no later than autumn 2019. The portfolio consists of international equities and bonds, and is invested in index-linked funds. The manager reports monthly to the Board on the development of the portfolio. In at least two annual meetings, the Board reviews the management and makes any eventual adjustments. The annualized return on the endowment over the last ten years is 7.8 per cent.

"Research funding without special commitments means a lot for the research at the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience. About 40 percent of the Institute's income is linked to specific research projects, most of which come from the Research Council of Norway and the European Research Council.
 
The greater the income without commitments, the greater the opportunities for new research initiatives that in the long term can receive funding from others. Therefore, the strengthening of the research fund of the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience, Trondheim Foundation for Scientific Research, means a lot to achieve the goals we have set."

- May-Britt Moser and Edvard Moser

“With the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, Edvard and May-Britt Moser demonstrated the high scientific quality of the research carried out at the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience. Further ground-breaking brain research requires funding without special commitments.

TFSR is the research fund for the Kavli Institute. The institute, along with the Kavli Foundation in the United States and TFSR, aims to increase the total endowment to NOK 250 million by the end of 2025. This has the full support of NTNU. If TFSR succeeds, it will make a very important contribution to future research at the Kavli Institute.”

- Anne Borg, Rector of NTNU

"May-Britt Moser and Edvard Moser proudly impressed the nation when they as the first Norwegians got the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine. Their research has proven the brain's internal GPS and can help solve the Alzheimer's mystery. The work has been made possible by skilled employees, access to public resources and private capital - especially through The Kavli Foundation.
 
I encourage you to contribute with capital to Norwegian research. Your contribution can be crucial to realizing new research results that prepare Norway for the future and change the world for the better."

- Erna Solberg, former Prime Minister of Norway