Science is exploring the truth in nature and discovering scientific laws while offering possible scientific solutions for social issues and bringing economic benefits. Although these two functions underline the duality inherent to the science, they do not always seem to go together. How can we enable the scientific enterprise to fulfill its potential in pursuing the scientific truth, as well as in bringing about the actual benefits? To reconcile this duality of science, a variety of approaches have been taken in building research and development (R&D) strategy and agenda-setting -- for example, drawing pathways from existing R&D areas and/or technical assets to a future solution for social concerns (“seed-push”) or identifying specific scientific areas on which to focus in R&D programs through the profound observation of social issues (“issue-driven”). In the meantime, a new challenge has also been launched in which parallel efforts for promoting R&D and for identifying social issues (“encounter”) is another means to use both functions of science. In this session, academia, experts, and practitioners from the United States, Europe, and Japan are invited to introduce their perspectives and propose possible solutions on this theme. Through sharing information on their own approaches and views on challenges faced, this symposium will seek alternative ways to acknowledge and take further advantage of both functions of science.