Science incubators: synthesis centers and their role in the research ecosystem

PLoS Biol. 2013;11(1):e1001468. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1001468. Epub 2013 Jan 15.

Abstract

How should funding agencies enable researchers to explore high-risk but potentially high-reward science? One model that appears to work is the NSF-funded synthesis center, an incubator for community-led, innovative science.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biomedical Research / economics*
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical
  • Financial Management
  • Financing, Government / economics*
  • Humans
  • Research Personnel
  • United States

Grants and funding

The National Evolutionary Synthesis Center is funded by the National Science Foundation award #EF-0905606. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript.