The American Cancer Society Burroughs Wellcome Fund Conference Report Download this story in Acrobat PDF format. At the two-day conference, speakers and panels examined the competencies that the next generation of biomedical scientists will need, roadblocks to training basic and clinical researchers, the current programs and plans of both private and federal funders, ethical issues arising from biomedical research and the new world of electronic grantmaking.
Collaborative effort is the answer.
Private philanthropies can set an example by collaborating whenever possible, suggested HHMI President Thomas Cech. Other speakers focused on certain things that private philanthropies can do better than anyone else. Philanthropies also can catalyze innovation, change direction rapidly and jump-start emerging fields.