Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC)

Our experts leverage their scientific research and health-systems expertise to help funders understand the roadblocks and opportunities in a given scientific field, and make recommendations for investments that champion long-term, sustainable impact. SPARC advisors have worked with funders to guide and influence more than $3 billion in capital for biomedical research. We have incubated and launched more than 20 scientific research organizations facilitating collaboration that ensures research investments accelerate progress in science and health. 

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Once a funding strategy has been identified, SPARC advisors work alongside our philanthropic partners to develop programs that transform medical research systems. Each funding initiative is custom designed. Drawing from deep experience, we ensure that best practices and lessons learned from past efforts inform implementation tactics. SPARC advisors manage the full cycle of a grant process, starting from developing and distributing funding announcements, scientific vetting, making recommendations for and recruiting advisory boards, and managing grant agreement execution with partner organizations. Once programs are launched, we work to develop community and accelerate the trajectory of research through a variety of field-building activities, such as facilitating targeted collaboration, driving scientific consensus, and hosting scientific convenings.

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Effective science needs strategic funding, collaboration from multiple fields, and expertise across many scientific discovery stages. However, competing priorities, concerns about risk, limited funding streams, and siloed fields have made the kinds of breakthroughs needed to benefit human health exceptionally challenging to achieve. SPARC uses the depth and diversity of the Milken Institute network to connect funders with thought leaders, people with lived experience, and other stakeholders to engage with each other and collaborate to tackle complex issues. These gatherings, many of which take place during flagship Milken Institute convenings, help build trust among peers and potential partners because they are centered on sharing experiences and learning from each other. The trust built during these gatherings fosters collaboration, which makes it possible to deploy resources efficiently and achieve maximum impact.

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