3rd Forum on Philanthropy and Scientific Research Funding

Hosted by the Wellcome Trust and attended by about a hundred people from research institutes, universities and foundations, the third annual Forum on Philanthropy and Scientific Research Funding took place in London on 2-3 December. Under the general title ‘Philanthropy: a growing asset for research’, the focus was on three key subjects: how foundations have developed innovative funding models for research; how evaluation can be used to improve the quality of research and decision-making; and how foundations and universities can work together to produce better research.

The three subjects were developed in parallel sessions moderated by David Lynn (Wellcome Trust), Ingrid Wünning (Robert Bosch Stiftung) and Thomas Estermann (European University Association). Particularly enlightening were the contributions of two scientists, Neil Turok and the Nobel Laureate Tim Hunt, who explored the scientists’ point of view.

Two things emerged clearly from the meeting. First, the important role that philanthropy plays in funding research. As emphasized by Tiit Jürimäe, head of the European Commission Private Investment and Technology Platforms Unit, a number of research programmes, and the changes they have brought about, would not have been possible without strong multi-annual commitments by foundations. The Tiepolo Programme, announced during the final session, will promote human resources exchanges among research foundations in order to provide opportunities for cross-fertilization and learning.

Second, the value of the event itself, both as a platform for debating new trends in scientific research funding and for the opportunity it provides to compare knowledge and experience across Europe. Following the meeting, the Forum’s steering group will go on working on the key subjects: the evaluation process and experiences, intellectual property rights for research, and the legal and fiscal matters that might facilitate research funding.

Event 3rd Forum on Philanthropy and Scientific Funding
Date 2-3 December 2009
Venue London
Organizer EFC

For more information
www.efc.be/ftp/public/eu/efprf/2008_conference/newreport09-vf.pdf