The Kavli Foundation has announced three new science prizes of $1m each to honour scientists for outstanding research and seminal advances in astrophysics, nanoscience and neuroscience.

The inaugural call for nominations was officially announced at the Festival of Science in York by the British Association for the Advancement of Science.

"This presentation marks the opening of the call for nominations to the Kavli Prize," said Jan Fridthjof Bernt, president of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters.

"The nominations of candidates will close on 15 December, the prize winners will be announced on 4 June, and the award ceremony will take place for the first time in Oslo in September 2008."

With individual prizes for astrophysics, nanoscience and neuroscience, each Kavli Prize consists of a scroll, medal and cash award of $1m.

"The Kavli prizes highlight the truly international nature of modern science, " said Martin Rees, president of the Royal Society.

"They also emphasise that collaboration is often the key to modern scientific advancement, something highlighted by the fact that these prizes are open to groups of scientists as well as individuals."

The Kavli Foundation was established in December 2000 by Fred Kavli, a prominent California business leader and philanthropist.

The Foundation is actively involved in establishing major research institutes at leading universities throughout the US and Europe, and promoting increased public understanding and support for scientists and their work.

"The prizes are intended to reward scientists who often make significant contributions to society, yet spend their entire careers in obscurity," said Kavli.

"So I am hopeful that the prizes will help bring them, and science itself, a little bit of recognition.

"But we are also hopeful that this will raise people's awareness, and give them a richer appreciation of the benefits of basic science in their own lives. "