We’ve been examining the benefits and challenges of team science and considering approaches to support this mode of research.
We use a variety of mechanisms to fund collaborative and team-based science, including program project grants (P01s) and different types of center grants (e.g., P50s and U54s). At our recent Advisory Council meeting, we heard a report on P01 outcomes compared to those of other mechanisms. We also heard a report from an external review panel on the National Centers for Systems Biology program.
To explore team science approaches, we have set up an internal NIGMS committee that includes representatives from across the Institute. Our goal is to develop better ways to identify and support research teams that will produce scientific advances not attainable by single individuals or by standard collaborative efforts.
One of the committee’s first efforts was issuing a request for information (RFI) on approaches for supporting team science in the biomedical research community. We’re soliciting input on a number of topics, including:
- Interest in team science.
- Management and advisory structures in team science.
- Team composition.
- Resources and infrastructure.
- Assessment of team science.
- Past or current NIGMS team-based programs and funding mechanisms.
RFI responses should be sent to TeamScience@mail.nih.gov by June 17, 2016. We also welcome comments here.
One of the major problems I can see for interdisciplinary teams is lack of appropriate study sections. For example, for teams of scientists who work on combining experiments and mathematical modeling-based analyses we need to design ways of evaluating both experimental and modeling components in the proposal, and on the synergy obtained from such a joint venture.
I agreed with Vitaly Ganusov’s comment. I would suggest to set up a few study sections that will cover broadly different areas of team science.