KITP is one of the most renowned institutes for theoretical physics in the world. The institute was founded in 1979 by Nobel prizelaureateWalter Kohn and, , is directed by Nobel laureate David Gross. It is located on the ocean side of the UCSB campus in Kohn Hall, which was designed by the famous architect Michael Graves.
Former faculty members include 1972 Physics Nobel Laureate Robert Schrieffer and 2004 Physics Nobel Laureate Frank Wilczek.
In the early 2000s, the institute, formerly known simply as the Institute for Theoretical Physics, or ITP, was named for the Norwegian-Americanphysicist and businessmanFred Kavli, in recognition of his donation of $7.5 million to the Institute.