Over the past few years, a new type of institution has entered the scientific scene: focused research organisations (FROs). These organisations aim to build new scientific software, databases, and other tools within a rapid, five-year timeframe.
So far, eight FROs have been launched in the US, largely supported by donations from ultra-wealthy individuals, such as former Google chief executive Eric Schmidt. Now, the idea is catching on in Europe, with the UK launching its own FRO this year.
The hope is that these FROs will develop tools that overcome scientific bottlenecks—similar to AlphaFold, the protein-shape prediction model that has transformed structural biology.
While it may seem obvious that scientists need new tools and datasets to open up new avenues of discovery, the current funding system often lacks the financial resources to create something on the scale of an FRO. These organisations fill that crucial gap, enabling rapid innovation and progress in scientific research.
https://sciencebusiness.net/news/r-d-funding/focused-research-organisations-what-are-they-and-how-do-you-set-them
