As part of a 2-day series on medical and scientific research, today we’ll examine whether there are too many strings attached to funding research. There’s a joke in scientific circles that all researchers need to do to get funding, is incorporate the prefix nano into their proposal. Researchers find that hilarious, so presumably they understand the joke. The point is that while some diseases tend to attract corporate and foundation grants, often serious illnesses that lack the promise of big, pharmaceutical paydays at the end of the research tunnel struggle for funds. 100-million Americans suffer from cancer, diabetes and other diseases for which there are no cures, yet funding difficulties continue, possibly delaying lifesaving developments. Clearly the demand for deliverables and restrictive criteria can hinder pure research and innovation. How do grantees negotiate these demands? Are vital areas under researched and how can this be addressed? Is there a more effective path to scientific progress? Is outcome oriented research the best way to go?
Guests:
Steven Lawrence, Director of Research, The Foundation Center
Dr. Robert Seeger, Chief of Cancer Research at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles