‘Philanthropy, a growing asset for research’ was the theme of the 2009 annual stakeholders’ conference of the European Forum on Philanthropy and Research Funding, hosted in London by the Wellcome Trust on the 2- 3 December. The conference had over 100 registrations from all over Europe, as well as from the US, Canada, Russia and South Africa. It brought together a range of stakeholders from the university sector, EU policy making, national governments, media,  business and consultancy to discuss the unique contribution that Foundations can make in supporting research and innovation in Europe. In addition, the conference hosted special lectures by the Nobel laureate Dr Tim Hunt, a principal scientist at Cancer Research UK, and Dr Neil Turok, director  of the Perimeter Institute and  founder of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences.

Discussions focussed on the issues facing research foundations, scientists  and research institutions, and explored the ways in which they can create partnerships that can meet the challenges ahead and foster an enabling environment for curiosity driven, cutting edge research.

Conference programme(4.23 MB)

Conference report (1.36 MB)

Presentations 2 December 2009

Plenary session: Philanthropy, a growing asset for research

The debate set the scene for the parallel sessions of 3 December by looking into: the best conditions for philantropic bodies and universities to work togheter; how philanthropy can provide opportunities for leveraging funds for innovative funding and for research with public and other funders and how evaluation can help foundations make choices and inform their decision making.

Anne-Marie Engel, Striving for excellence in decision making (365 Kb)

John Smith, The Role of Philanthropic Funding of University Research (392 Kb)

3 December 2009

Lecture: A forward look

Dr Tim Hunt opened the second day of the European Forum on Philanthropy and Research Funding with a lecture examining the role that philanthropy can play in helping to meet the challenges of science and in helping to create the conditions in which creative approaches to research can thrive.

Tim Hunt, Philantropic Support of Research (1.180 Kb)

Parallel Session A: Innovative funding models for research

This session explored how foundations have developed different approaches to funding research. The benefits and challenges of working with a range of private and public sector funders were examined, including the unique role that foundations can play in such partnership.

Leonor Parreira, Programme for Advanced Medical Education (275 Kb)

Adam Zieliński, Innovative funding models for research: The Sequential Model(208 Kb)

Parallel Session B: Striving for excellence in decision making

The session explored how foundations can use evaluation to inform their decision making. It considered the benefits of using evaluation for strategic decision making and issues to consider when doing so.  

Liz Allen, The Important Role of Evaluation in Strategic Decision Making (1.108 Kb)

Carlo Mango, Decision Making in the Fondazione Cariplo Scientific Research Department (249 kb)

Parallel Session C: Setting the right conditions for enhanced partnerships 

This session analysed how philanthropic bodies and universities are working together and what needs to be done to enhance further growth in philanthropy as a growing reserch asset for universities. 

Ian Creagh, EUDIS - European Universities Diversifying Income Streams (525 Kb)

Shirley Pearce, UK Match Funding Scheme: Providing Stimulus for Funding (292 Kb)

For further information, please contact researchforum@efc.be.