GRC 4 th Annual Meeting, 27 May 2015 Kiyoshi SAITO Chair of the GRC International Steering Committee Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Introduction to “Research Funding for Scientific Breakthroughs”

Background for Scientific Breakthroughs Scientific breakthroughs can include outstanding discoveries, inventions, and the development of methodologies or technologies that change the scientific paradigm or that transform our fundamental understanding of the human state or the world. Research aimed at scientific breakthroughs often involves entering unknown territory beyond existing topics and disciplines. An effective research environment is critical—one that fosters diversity and provides researchers with the means and the flexibility. 2

Background for Scientific Breakthroughs (2) A robust and broad foundation for researcher-driven basic research is needed as a source for future breakthroughs and innovations. it is imperative to ensure the availability of sustainable, stable and diverse sources of research funding a compelling message needs to be conveyed to the global research community, and to its stakeholders, on the need to support researcher-driven basic research and an enabling research environment. 3

Common Areas of Principles for funding Scientific Breakthroughs Freedom, Flexibility and Risk-taking Diverse Portfolio of Funding Approaches Review and Evaluation Partnership with Stakeholders International Collaboration 4

Summary Report of Survey for Discussion on “Research Funding for Scientific Breakthroughs” A questionnaire survey for all GRC participating organizations 44 organizations out of 123 responded Intended to obtain information on good practices related to scientific breakthroughs in various countries Region Distributed number Answered number Response rate Africa194 21% Americas174 24% Asia-Pacific % Europe % Middle East/North Africa % Total % Response rate to questionnaire by GRC region 5

Summary of the Report (1) Over half (22/39) of the organizations appear to consider not- dedicated programs to have a high potential for scientific breakthroughs. A lot of research programs tend to have interdisciplinary, transformative and/or high-risk aspects. Programs (N=139) Organization (N=39) Dedicated81 (58%)17 (44%) Not- dedicated 58 (42%)11 (28%) Both-11 (28%) Programs dedicated to and not dedicated to scientific breakthroughs Programs supporting interdisciplinary/ transformative/ high-risk research 6

Summary of the Report (2) Appropriate review methods and suitable evaluation criteria for breakthrough sciences appear to be still under discussions, though some actions have been taken. Methods to select projects with a high potential for scientific breakthroughs (N=44) 1) Invite reviewers/panel members from different research areas40 (91%) 2) Invite reviewers/panel members from industry20 (45%) 3) Invite ad-hoc members for reviewers/panel members from a pool20 (45%) 4) Other methods for choosing reviewers/panel members9 (20%) 5) Double-blind review4 (9%) 6) Other blind/partially blind review methods14 (32%) 7) “Pitch-to-peers” assessment25 (57%) 8) Reciprocal peer review2 (5%) 9) Distribute feedback to applicants39 (89%) 10) Program officers make final decision9 (20%) 11) Administrative staff participate in panel review13 (30%) 12) Others9 (20%) 7

Summary of the Report (3) Most of the organizations carry out initiative in support global collaboration for breakthrough research: i.e. collaborative funding for research, international fellowships for exchanging researchers, international workshops, seminars, or symposiums. There are useful activities that can be carried out within the GRC framework to globally encourage scientific breakthroughs. 1) Global or regional workshops for sharing national/regional good practices32(73%) 2) A global survey for sharing national/regional good practices22(50%) 3) A comparative analysis or assessment by experts of national/regional good practices 25(57%) 4) Global or regional networking initiatives for researchers30(68%) 5) Joint funding initiatives for bilateral/multilateral joint research projects23(52%) 6) Exchange of administrative experts24(55%) 7) Others 3(7%) Useful activities conducted on a voluntary basis within the GRC framework to globally encourage scientific breakthroughs (N=44) 8