Registration to Open in August

Session Descriptions

From Patients to Partners: Funders’ Role in Community-Engaged Research and Discovery Science
Community-engaged research is reshaping scientific processes— and how funders can maximize the impact of every dollar invested. In this session, patient-researcher dyads share their journey stories and experiences as co-investigators, offering an unfiltered look at what it takes to implement patient-perspective-informed research alongside discovery science. Moderated by a research funder, discussants will explore where authentic partnership creates new research opportunities, as well as the barriers, power differentials, and structural considerations that funders are uniquely positioned to address. The conversation offers funders a candid window into the realities of community-engaged research and the strategic role philanthropic investment plays in making equitable collaboration the standard.

Measuring What Matters: Understanding Impact from Funding through Outcomes
This session will utilize peer-to-peer learning to explore practical strategies for evaluating grant programs from start to finish. Discussion topics include what metrics are meaningful and to whom and methods for evaluation. Guided discussions will use Real-world examples, reflecting diverse organizational contexts (e.g., small vs. large programs), will highlight what organizations aimed to measure (program, portfolio, and field-level impact), the metrics and approaches used, what worked well—and what didn’t—and key lessons on what they would do differently. 

Cross-Sector Collaboration: Roundtable Discussions on Partnerships
As the health research funding landscape continues to evolve, cross-sector partnerships are becoming increasingly important for advancing shared priorities and shaping the future of biomedical research. This interactive session will explore how foundations and nonprofit funders are collaborating with fellow funders, industry, advocacy organizations, and government partners to expand impact and address shared challenges. Through a brief case study, facilitated roundtable discussions for both in-person and virtual participants, and a group share-back, participants will exchange practical lessons, explore successful partnership models, and share key insights for collaborative leadership in a changing research ecosystem.

Who Applies, Returns, & Stays? Stronger Pathways to Funding & Long-term Success
How can funders strengthen the pipeline from initial outreach to successful application and continued participation in the field? This session will explore strategies for engaging new applicants, supporting proposal development, and fostering long-term participation by helping researchers build competitive proposals, communicate their work effectively to diverse audiences, and identify pathways for continued success.