Supporting Early Discovery and Innovation to Implementation

In biomedicine, clinician-scientists have long been regarded as the driving force for translational research. However, non-medically qualified researchers are not only much greater in number but also very diverse in terms of expertise, from physical sciences to engineering. Engaging and training these scientists in translational research are critical to harness the outcomes of fundamental research in many fields for improved health care and medical practice. In order to achieve this, deliberately planned research management for facilitatory environments and performance appraisal encouraging translation may be useful approaches, especially through promoting and recognizing interdisciplinarity. Carefully designed research funding mechanisms with emphasis on use-inspired fundamental research and collaborations between academia and industry may also contribute. These measures have been testbedded with early indication of success in Singapore, a small but innovative economy with major funding initiatives to support translational research.