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The present study examines the training environment and sponsorship dynamics in Hungarian artistic swimming, with a particular focus on competitiveness. Through the utilization of a linear regression method ample aspects were identified, such as coach qualifications, funding sources, and facilities, that positively impact the number of qualified competitors. The availability of funding sources, when coupled with governmental assistance, has a favorable effect on the number of competitors, whereas membership fees have a deleterious impact. Furthermore, the findings indicate that increased water availability and increased publicity enhance artistic swimming recognition, whereas improved land-based training conditions may lead to a decline in the number of competitors. This paper discusses how different aspects of training programs can be integrated to improve overall athleticism, prevent injury, and enhance the competitive ability of artistic swimmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigator-initiated clinical studies (IICSs), also referred to as non-commercial, academic or independent clinical studies, address important research questions that are usually neglected by industry despite their high societal value. Indeed, industry may direct their focus and resources on studies that will yield results and products that can ultimately generate revenue for the company. Conversely, IICS research questions include (a) refining or getting new indications of available treatments (drug repurposing); (b) optimisation, by comparing various health products or treatment regimens; and (c) innovation, especially for advanced therapies. Multinational IICSs increase the scientific quality of the data by exchange of research ideas, scientific techniques and tools. Participation of patients from different geographical, social and ethnic backgrounds equally adds to the value of study results and yields more generalisable evidence than a study confined to a single geographical location. Multinational IICSs are generally sponsored by non-profit/academic organisations and publicly funded. Funding has been already identified as a main challenge for the conduct IICS and especially for clinical trials (IICTs, IICS where a medical intervention is directly tested). Main barriers to the conduct of multinational IICTs with public funding include: Limitations of budget and duration of the eligibility of costs Lack of flexibility to move funds transnationally Tendering rules Complexity in the reporting of the eligible costs to funders We describe why there is a need to support multinational IICS, what should be their objectives and what are the current funding mechanisms in Europe. Strategies for funding multinational IICS should evolve to mitigate identified barriers, thus facilitating research that can provide answers to highly relevant questions in healthcare which are less likely to be answered by studies funded by the pharmaceutical and medical device industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors describe the phases (conceptualizing, actualizing, and ensuring success of science) necessary for developing a successful research grant application for funding. Emphasis is on the development of an important and novel research question, clear conceptualization of the study, development of specific aims, theory to guide the study, a well-designed approach, and the role of teamwork to enhance success. The challenges that can occur during these phases of grant writing are also addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Over the last two decades, substantial investments have been directed towards supporting fundamental and applied research in Alzheimer's disease (AD), breast cancer (BC), and prostate cancer (PC), which continue to pose significant health challenges. Recently, the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission (EC) conducted a retrospective analysis to examine the major scientific advancements resulting from EU-funded research in these disease areas and their impact on society. Methods: Building upon this analysis, our subsequent investigation delves into the methodological approaches—both animal and non-animal models and methods—employed in AD, BC, and PC research funded under past EU framework programs (FP5, FP6, FP7, and H2020), and explored the notable research outputs associated with these approaches. Results: Our findings indicate a prevalent use of animal-based methodologies in AD research, particularly evident in projects funded under H2020. Notably, projects focused on drug development, testing, or repurposing heavily relied on animal models. Conversely, research aimed at clinical trial design, patient stratification, diagnosis and diagnostic tool development, lifestyle interventions, and prevention—outputs with potential societal impact—more frequently utilised non-animal methods. Advanced investigations leveraging imaging, computational tools, biomarker discovery and organ/tissue chip technologies predominantly favoured non-animal strategies. Conclusions: These insights highlight a correlation between methodological choices and the translational potential of research outcomes, suggesting the need for a reconsideration of research strategy planning in future framework programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To describe the characteristics of National Institutes of Health (NIH) cancer survivorship grants funded over the past 5 years and identify gap areas for future efforts and initiatives. Methods: Research project grants (RPG) funded during Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 to 2021 focused on cancer survivorship were identified using a text mining algorithm of words from the NIH Research, Condition, and Disease Categorization (RCDC) thesaurus with survivorship-relevant terms. The title, abstract, specific aims, and public health relevance section of each grant were reviewed for eligibility. Grants meeting the eligibility criteria were double coded to extract study characteristics (e.g., grant mechanism, study design, study population). Results: A total of 586 grants were funded by 14 NIH Institutes from FY2017 to FY2021, and the number of newly funded grants increased each FY, from 68 in 2017 to 105 in 2021. Approximately 60% of all grants included an intervention study, and interventions most often focused on psychosocial or supportive care (32.0%). The most common primary focus of the grants was late- and long-term effects of cancer treatment (46.6%), and least often financial hardship. Conclusions: The results of this portfolio analysis indicate overall growth in the number and breadth of grants over the last five years, although notable gaps persist. Implications for Cancer Survivors: This review of current NIH grants suggests a need for expanded research to understand and address survivor needs to ensure that the over 18 million cancer survivors in the United States have optimal quality of life and health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Within the United Kingdom, the third sector has an important yet increasingly challenging role in providing employability support for people with complex barriers to work, as organisations face an ever‐tighter and more uncertain funding landscape. Whilst the obstacles posed by short‐term funding are raised in numerous publications from third sector professional and campaigning organisations, academic contributions on the effects of short‐term funding for the third sector remain scarce. This article presents a qualitative analysis of the impacts of short‐term programme funding on a third sector employability project in the North of England, as it navigated the post‐Brexit transition from European grants to regionally allocated shorter‐term funding under the first tranche of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Drawing on in‐depth interviews with frontline employability keyworkers, the article illuminates the multiple detrimental effects on project delivery, keyworker practices and client experience brought about by a reduction in funding timeframe and associated future uncertainties. Alongside practical implications, the study offers novel insights into the emotional impacts of short‐termism on those delivering at the frontline, which we interpret via the theoretical lens of ‘moral distress’. Findings also reveal a risk that, under tighter operating timescales, third sector organisations may feel increasingly pushed towards the selective recruitment of participants who are easier to help, potentially undermining their deeply held commitment to supporting those furthest from the labour market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article stresses the importance of expanding the quality of critical care pharmacy education to ensure the provision of critical care to patients. Topics mentioned include state of the pharmacy practice, several reasons for providing inconsistent care to patients and the key steps to optimize critical care pharmacy models.

The Environmental Land Management Scheme is now established as the central plank of financial assistance for farmers in England post-Brexit. Early articulations of policy directed the focus of the Scheme to the delivery of public goods, with a high level of ambition. More recently, however, greater weight is being accorded to food production and food security, with particular reference to the Sustainable Farming Incentive component, which is achieving broad coverage and accounting for the majority of the Scheme budget, but the environmental actions which it requires to unlock payment would not seem materially to be raising the bar. By contrast, the Landscape Recovery component remains ambitious in terms of scheme design, collaborative approach, emphasis on outcomes, duration and implementation at landscape scale, with the consequence that good reasons may be presented for its expansion within the policy mix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system affecting nearly 3 million people worldwide. Although much progress has been made in the understanding and treatment of MS, cures remain elusive. Objectives: To accelerate the development of cures for MS by updating the Pathways to Cures Research Roadmap based on a contemporary understanding of disease. The refined Roadmap will help to promote research in scientific areas with great potential to reveal insights leading to cures and inspire greater coordination of global resources. Methods: Refinements to the Roadmap were achieved during a Global Summit that included close to 200 academic and industry scientists, health care providers, policy makers, funders, and people with MS from 15 countries. Results: The refined Roadmap describes three pathways that target opportunities for generating scientific insights leading to cures. Recommendations for accelerating research progress include, lowering barriers for global data sharing, enhancing collaboration and coordination among research supporters, committing to sustained funding, considering implications for implementation, engaging PwMS and committing to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the global MS movement. Conclusion: The refined roadmap provides a strategic framework for tackling the complexities of MS and advancing prevention strategies, effective treatments, and cures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated central nervous system disorder and a growing global health challenge affecting nearly 3 million people worldwide. Incidence and prevalence continue to increase with no known cause or cure. Globally governments and non-profit organizations fund research toward better understanding of and treatments for multiple sclerosis. Methods: This study identified MS research projects funded between 2021 and 2023 by government and non-profit organization sources. Projects were described by type of scientific approach, Pathways to Cure research category (i.e. Stop, Restore, End), and other key characteristics. Results: Over 2,300 MS research projects were identified through 16 non-profit MS organizations and 18 government databases. The overall global portfolio of these projects is valued at nearly one and a half billion Euros. The majority of projects were classified in the Stop category (60%). Research collaboration occurs in many forms among the research community; around 272 projects were reported to be co-funded. Conclusion: Global MS research collaboration will accelerate progress toward increased knowledge, effective treatments, improved health outcomes, and ultimately cures for MS. This landscape analysis highlights the current distribution of MS research investment between topics and begins to suggest where the MS community should focus to increase potential impact for current and future endeavors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industry sponsorship is an important source of funding for atrial fibrillation (AF) clinical trials, the implications of which have not been analyzed. The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of contemporary AF clinical trials and to evaluate their association with funding source. We systematically assessed all completed AF trials registered in the ClinicalTrials.gov database between conception to October 31, 2023, and extracted publicly available information including funding source, trial size, demographic distribution, intervention, location, and publication status. Trial characteristics were compared using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test and Fisher exact test for continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Of the 253 clinical trials assessed, 171 (68%) reported industry funding. Industry funding was associated with a greater median number of patients enrolled (172 vs 80; P <.001), publication rate (56.7% vs 42.7%; P =.04), probability of being product-focused (48.0% vs 24.4%; P <.001), and multicontinental recruitment location (25.2% vs 2.4%; P <.001) when compared to nonindustry-funded trials. However, industry funding was not associated with a significant difference in median impact factor (7.7 vs 7.7; P =.723). The overall proportion of industry-funded trials did not change over time (P = 1). Industry-funded clinical trials in AF often are larger, more frequently published, multicontinental, and product-focused. Industry funding was found to be associated with significant differences in study enrollment and publication metrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical trafficking scholars have questioned the staggering and ever-rising scale of financial investments in the anti-trafficking industry. While many analyses have focused on the United States, considerably less attention has been devoted to anti-trafficking funding provided by the European Union (EU). This paper draws on an analysis of the results of several EU programmes funding anti-trafficking actions during the 2014-2020 programming period. It describes the type of projects and organisations funded, the countries involved, the amounts awarded, and the potential reoccurrence of funding toward specific organisations. It also presents the findings of a survey of European NGOs working in the field of anti-trafficking to investigate approved and rejected projects, the reasons for rejection, and the key challenges faced in accessing EU funding. The overarching aim is to better understand funding trends against the backdrop of EU anti-trafficking policy priorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The United States government has positioned itself as the global exemplar in the anti-human trafficking arena, including through its unparalleled financial support for domestic and international anti-trafficking activities. How the US has allocated these funds has not previously been systematically studied. Building on original databases compiled through a review of the US Attorney General's Annual Report to Congress on US Government Activities to Combat Trafficking in Persons for fiscal years 2017-2021, in this article, I offer a detailed analysis of US anti-trafficking funding allocations. I find that during the five-year period under review, the vast majority of US anti-trafficking funds were spent on reactive activities, including the identification, protection, and support of trafficking survivors and efforts to improve the detection, arrest, and prosecution of traffickers. In contrast, activities targeting the conditions that increase precarity, rendering certain populations at heightened risk of being trafficked, or that enable the exploitation of precarity, were relatively under-funded. When these conditions were addressed by funded activities, the targets were nearly always countries in Africa, Asia, or Latin America, perpetuating a discourse of trafficking as a social problem rooted in poor policies, practices, and inequalities seen as endemic in the Global South. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article argues that the UK government's anti-trafficking funding is mostly harmful, because anti-trafficking emulates and extends other arms of the immigration system--a system financed to engage in practices of impoverishment. After explaining the slow violence at work in the asylum system, I show that UK anti-trafficking work expands the reach and extends the length of that impoverishment. I finish by making two recommendations: defunding government anti-trafficking work and organising through community building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of the study was to examine administrative variables and provision of ICT services in Colleges of Education South-South Zone, Nigeria. Four specific objectives, four research questions and four null hypotheses guided the study. Survey research design was adopted for the study. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select 50 staff and 200 students from the population of the study. Two instruments were developed for data collection known as Administrative Variable Questionnaire (AVQ) and Provision of ICT Services Questionnaire (PICTSQ). The instrument was forwarded to three experts in Measurement and Evaluation for scrutiny and vetting to establish it face and content validity. Thirty (30) respondents outside the study area were subjected to trial testing to ascertain the internal consistency of the instrument. Responses obtained were subject to testing using cronbach alpha reliability coefficient. The reliability index of the instruments was 0.82 and 0.78 for administrative variables and provision of ICT services respectively. Simple linear regression analysis was used to test all the four null hypotheses. The findings revealed that there is no significant relationship between funding and provision of ICT, there is significant relationship between staffing and provision of ICT, there is no statistically significant relationship between coordination and provision of ICT and there is no significant relationship between monitoring and provision of ICT services. It was recommended that multiple factors should be use to predict the provision of ICT services in Colleges of Education, South-South, Nigeria. Based on the findings of the study, it was concluded that stakeholder in education industries should shift focus from one single factor to multivariate factors in determining the provision of ICT in Colleges of Education South-South Nigeria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The country’s record of adaptability and reinvention might stand it in good stead as it strives to get back on track. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tobacco companies conduct and fund research. They are not always interested in open-ended research. They promote their interests through public relations campaigns. It's a proven fact that they influence the scientific community by impairing scientific reputation, especially in the case of health-related research. Methods: To obtain a comprehensive picture of research and funding activities of the tobacco industry as well as studies about the tobacco industry, respective scientific articles were analyzed in terms of temporal aspects, research areas, networking, and funding sources using established and advanced bibliometric methods. Results: We found the foci of publications with tobacco industry involvement or funding were mainly in chemistry, toxicology, pharmacology, and agricultural sciences. Health-related scopes occurred much less frequently. In contrast, health and medical sciences were the main focus of publications on the tobacco industry. The Chinese state-owned CNTC was the most research-involved tobacco company and often networked with Chinese academic institutions. Whereas, Western universities, on the other hand, collaborated with tobacco companies to a much lesser extent. Conclusion: Conflicts of interest of researchers or academic institutions with the tobacco industry occur repeatedly. That is highly problematic and should not be ignored by the scientific community. The science and the public should be skeptical about tobacco industry-supported research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Subnational actors and organizations are crucial mediators of policy implementation due to their proximity to schools. However, in low- and middle-income country contexts, little is known about their management practices and factors that shape the adoption of these practices to improve education delivery. Purpose: We explore the management context of five District Education Directorates in Ghana, and the factors that enable or constrain them to plan and implement policy. Participants: Forty-three interviews and focus groups with regional and district education officials, district political actors, and basic education school headteachers and teachers. Research Design: A qualitative study of semistructured interviews, focus groups, and education policy and planning documents. Analysis: To understand how policy implementation happens within complex, multitiered bureaucracies, our theoretical framework uses four management functions described in Williams et al. (2021) to explore two different paradigms of how to change public bureaucracies: target setting and prioritization; measurement and monitoring; accountability and incentives; and problem-solving. We coded and analyzed our data based on this framework and developed district-wide narrative memos to synthesize the findings. Findings: We identify three areas of (mis)alignment in management practices: across bureaucratic levels and among actors; around clear and consistent priorities for learning; in expected actions and availability of resources. These (mis)alignments can constrain or be leveraged by districts to improve education delivery in Ghana. Implications: We argue for better prioritization of goals toward learning and the efficient allocation of funds for management practices typical of effective organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the major funding agency for biomedical research in the United States. To initiate a scholarly dialog about research and career development in the thyroid field, here we reviewed recent trends in NIH funding for this area. We used the Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tool database to estimate the level of NIH extramural support during 2013–2022 (number of active grants/year and $amount/year weighed by the total number of active grants/year and $amount/year), provided by the NIH to the thyroid field. We determined that in 2013, the NIH supported ∼140 grants/year, totaling almost $50 million/year, the majority in the form of R01 grants. Within the thyroid field, support was evenly split between thyroid cancer and thyroid hormone metabolism and action subareas. In the subsequent years (2014–2022), the total number of active grants peaked at 150/year ($55 million) in 2014 but progressively decreased to about 100 active grants/year ($30 million) in 2022. This trend occurred while the NIH budget increased from $29 to $46 billion/year. Globally, the number of thyroid-related publications increased by ∼70% during the study period, and the fractional contribution of several countries remained relatively stable, except for China which increased by ∼600%. Remarkably, the fraction of thyroid-related publications in the United States sponsored by the NIH decreased from 5.5% to 3.1% of the global number. Conclusion: These results constitute a very concerning scenario for research and education in the thyroid field. We appeal to the NIH, the professional societies in endocrinology and thyroidology, and all other relevant stakeholders such as thyroid-related professionals and thyroid patients to engage in further discussions to identify the root causes of this trend and implement an action plan to stabilize and eventually reverse this situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As academic research evolves into distinct identities of specialised knowledge, institutional and paradigmatic barriers are formed between research teams, which demand enhanced research collaboration and cross-fertilisation of ideas. Drawing on the concept of cross-fertilisation, this paper adds original contributions to literature on research collaboration in three ways. First, it underlines key barriers facing academics in undertaking research. Second, it demonstrates why research collaboration helps to drive research output and enrich research cultures. Third, it offers valuable insights into technological and social initiatives supporting research collaboration. This paper reports on a study within the University of Portsmouth's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice – the UK's largest criminology department. It reveals universities must address four key issues to enhance research collaboration. These involve managing researchers' workload pressures, fostering positive research cultures, improving knowledge of and access to research and funding processes, and exploring collaborative technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite record investment in Scotland's National Health Service, ever-increasing numbers of people remain in hospital despite being clinically fit for discharge. This paper curiously explores two of the whole-system problems ensuring discharges are delayed and argues that greater investment in, and contractual changes to, social care commissioning is required to support more people to live their best lives in their own homes. A more creative perspective is required to ensure better outcomes for the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews changes in New Zealand universities since the introduction of the Performance Based Research Fund (PBRF) in 2003, and evaluates changes in relation to the stated objectives. This stocktake of research findings is in part a response to the official report of the Review Panel, which made no attempt to review evidence of performance. A key objective was to achieve an improvement in research quality. It is suggested that improvements have been related closely to the incentives created by the scheme, and achieved by considerable staff turnover. The present stocktake of the changed nature of universities and the details of the evaluation process suggests that substantial simplifications could usefully be made while maintaining incentives that are at the heart of any PBRF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveThe authors sought to characterize perceptions of the impacts, attributes, and support for taxes earmarked for behavioral health services and to compare perceptions of the taxes among professionals in California and Washington, two states differing in earmarked tax designs.MethodsSurveys were completed by 155 public agency and community organization professionals involved in tax implementation in California (N=87) and Washington State (N=68) during 2022-2023 (29% response rate). Respondents indicated their perceptions of the taxes' impacts, attributes, and support. Responses were summed as aggregate scores and were also analyzed as individual items. Bivariate analyses were used to compare responses of professionals in California versus Washington State.ResultsEarmarked taxes were generally regarded positively. Of the respondents, >80% strongly agreed that the taxes increased funding for services and were helpful, and only 10% strongly agreed that the taxes decreased behavioral health funding from other sources. Substantially more respondents in California than in Washington State strongly agreed that taxes' reporting requirements were complicated (45% vs. 5%, p

Abstract Investigator-initiated clinical studies (IICSs), also referred to as non-commercial, academic or independent clinical studies, address important research questions that are usually neglected by industry despite their high societal value. Indeed, industry may direct their focus and resources on studies that will yield results and products that can ultimately generate revenue for the company. Conversely, IICS research questions include (a) refining or getting new indications of available treatments (drug repurposing); (b) optimisation, by comparing various health products or treatment regimens; and (c) innovation, especially for advanced therapies. Multinational IICSs increase the scientific quality of the data by exchange of research ideas, scientific techniques and tools. Participation of patients from different geographical, social and ethnic backgrounds equally adds to the value of study results and yields more generalisable evidence than a study confined to a single geographical location. Multinational IICSs are generally sponsored by non-profit/academic organisations and publicly funded. Funding has been already identified as a main challenge for the conduct IICS and especially for clinical trials (IICTs, IICS where a medical intervention is directly tested). Main barriers to the conduct of multinational IICTs with public funding include: Limitations of budget and duration of the eligibility of costs Lack of flexibility to move funds transnationally Tendering rules Complexity in the reporting of the eligible costs to funders We describe why there is a need to support multinational IICS, what should be their objectives and what are the current funding mechanisms in Europe. Strategies for funding multinational IICS should evolve to mitigate identified barriers, thus facilitating research that can provide answers to highly relevant questions in healthcare which are less likely to be answered by studies funded by the pharmaceutical and medical device industry.

In these proceedings the growing and reflective community of Citizen Science actors give insights into their findings which were presented at the joint conference of Österreich forscht and the European Citizen Science Association (ECSA) in Vienna 2024. The conference key topic was change, since we face changes in various aspects, in nature and society as well in the way Citizen Science is executed and perceived. Enjoy reading and get guidance and inspiration for your further work in the field of Citizen Science.

This article argues that the UK government’s anti-trafficking funding is mostly harmful, because anti-trafficking emulates and extends other arms of the immigration system—a system financed to engage in practices of impoverishment. After explaining the slow violence at work in the asylum system, I show that UK anti-trafficking work expands the reach and extends the length of that impoverishment. I finish by making two recommendations: defunding government anti-trafficking work and organising through community building.

Critical trafficking scholars have questioned the staggering and ever-rising scale of financial investments in the anti-trafficking industry. While many analyses have focused on the United States, considerably less attention has been devoted to anti-trafficking funding provided by the European Union (EU). This paper draws on an analysis of the results of several EU programmes funding anti-trafficking actions during the 2014–2020 programming period. It describes the type of projects and organisations funded, the countries involved, the amounts awarded, and the potential reoccurrence of funding toward specific organisations. It also presents the findings of a survey of European NGOs working in the field of anti-trafficking to investigate approved and rejected projects, the reasons for rejection, and the key challenges faced in accessing EU funding. The overarching aim is to better understand funding trends against the backdrop of EU anti-trafficking policy priorities.

The United States government has positioned itself as the global exemplar in the anti-human trafficking arena, including through its unparalleled financial support for domestic and international anti-trafficking activities. How the US has allocated these funds has not previously been systematically studied. Building on original databases compiled through a review of the US Attorney General’s Annual Report to Congress on US Government Activities to Combat Trafficking in Persons for fiscal years 2017–2021, in this article, I offer a detailed analysis of US anti-trafficking funding allocations. I find that during the five-year period under review, the vast majority of US anti-trafficking funds were spent on reactive activities, including the identification, protection, and support of trafficking survivors and efforts to improve the detection, arrest, and prosecution of traffickers. In contrast, activities targeting the conditions that increase precarity, rendering certain populations at heightened risk of being trafficked, or that enable the exploitation of precarity, were relatively under-funded. When these conditions were addressed by funded activities, the targets were nearly always countries in Africa, Asia, or Latin America, perpetuating a discourse of trafficking as a social problem rooted in poor policies, practices, and inequalities seen as endemic in the Global South.

Start-ups are pivotal to economic development and innovation, yet many face failure, often due to limited access to finance. Venture capital emerges as a crucial funding source, yet only a slim fraction of start-ups seeking such investments succeed. This research delves into the allure of venture capital for start-ups and the challenges they encounter in securing funding. Additionally, it explores the perspectives of venture capitalists, identifying key factors influencing their investment decisions. Through a blend of primary and secondary research, including a survey completed by 107 venture capitalists from the author's LinkedIn network, this study offers descriptive insights into the venture capital landscape. The findings underscore the significance of growth potential, industry knowledge, risk mitigation, the ability to secure substantial funding, and increased visibility as factors making venture capital appealing to start-ups. From the venture capitalists' viewpoint, the pivotal elements shaping investment decisions include the quality of the management team, founders' experience and expertise, financial projections, product scalability, and industry attractiveness. Notably, the application of the Friedman two-way analysis of variance by ranks revealed statistically significant differences in the prioritization of these factors, highlighting the nuanced criteria venture capitalists employ in their evaluations. Conversely, the impact of winning prestigious grants appeared minimal, while specialized skills, education, and referrals held moderate importance. This research offers valuable guidance for start-ups, providing a clearer understanding of the criteria emphasized by venture capitalists. Armed with this knowledge, start-ups can refine their strategies to align more closely with investors' priorities, potentially enhancing their prospects of obtaining venture capital funding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into the optimization of investment portfolios within the Unified Accumulative Pension Fund in Kazakhstan, employing the Quasi-Sharp model as a pivotal tool. Through a meticulous analysis of the UAPF's investment portfolio evolution, this research scrutinizes shifts in asset allocation and their ramifications on investment returns. The Quasi-Sharp model, a tailored adaptation of the Sharpe model, is harnessed to ascertain the optimal equilibrium between profitability and risk in pension asset management. The STATA program was used to calculate the indicators. Results divulge the imperative role of diversification across various asset classes in mitigating risk while maximizing returns. Optimal investment portfolios are meticulously crafted, considering an array of financial instruments such as stocks, bonds, and bank deposits. The findings underscore that while stocks proffer higher potential returns, bonds offer stability and lower risk. Additionally, bank deposits exhibit stable returns, albeit with limited growth prospects. The study revealed that the maximum expected return with a risk limit of less than 5% could be provided by a portfolio including shares of Halyk Savings Bank of Kazakhstan, Kcell, and KazTransOil in the ratio of 57%, 32%, and 11%, respectively. Key recommendations for investors encompass regular monitoring of market dynamics, diligent assessment of risk tolerance, and recourse to professional advice when warranted. This study furnishes invaluable insights for pension fund managers and investors endeavoring to augment portfolio performance while adeptly managing risk within the Kazakhstani market landscape.

Abstract Background This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence, management, and control of the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) highlighting the current or prospective impact of COVID-19 on research and development funding for, and execution of, NTD programmes. This review was conducted to determine if, and how, NTDs were affected by COVID-19, and whether those effects will delay the elimination goals of the Sustainable Development goals. Methods Using open-source available data from policy and documentation from official websites of the relevant stakeholders including but not limited to World Health Organization (WHO) documents and policies, government foreign aid documents, and the Policy Cures G-Finder reports, this scoping review explored ongoing challenges to supporting research and development (R&D) for the NTDs and in maintaining NTD control programs; examined the constraints posed for NTD management by the pandemic from disruptions to healthcare services, reduction of finance and explored the potential long-term implications and consequences for those poorer, neglected populations in low and middle income-countries (LMICs). This was done by a scoping review literature search, publications were subject to an initial practical screening step to ensure the most relevant publications were selected for full screening, with the focus on scoping the designated topic of the impact of COVID-19 on NTDs. We further undertook an evaluation of the socio-economic factors exacerbating the impact of COVID-19 on NTD burden. Results Multiple disruptions and setbacks, likely to affect NTD programmes and progress towards their elimination targets were identified in this study. R&D funding for the NTDs and AIDs and TB has declined since the funding high point of 2019, and for malaria since the high point of 2018. Significant changes in allocation of R&D funding within the NTDs are observed post pandemic, likely because of prioritization among donors. Diseases for which the least R&D investment was reported in place, prior to the pandemic (mycetoma, taeniasis/cysticercosis, trachoma and Buruli ulcer) have been particularly impacted post pandemic. We identified specific NTDs including schistosomiasis, leprosy, and rabies that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and disruptions caused to on ongoing NTD control and elimination programs. Pandemic restrictions disrupted essential medical supply manufacturing and distribution impacting immunization programs and hindered efforts to control the spread of infectious diseases. NTD programmes have experienced numerous setbacks including delays in mass drug administration programs (e.g. for schistosomiasis), cancelled or delayed vaccination programs (e.g. for rabies) and closure of testing facilities has resulted in reduced diagnosis, treatment, and disease elimination for all NTDs. Lockdowns and clinic closures causing disruption to essential healthcare services restricted NTD surveillance and treatment programs. Community fears around contracting COVID-19 exacerbated the constraints to service delivery. Disparities in global vaccine distribution have widened with LMICs facing limited access to vaccines and disruption to immunization programs. Finally, the pandemic has led to increased poverty with poor and marginalized communities, impacting nutrition, healthcare access and education all of which have long term implications for NTD management and control. Conclusions The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted global health research and global health equity. Attention and funding were diverted from all sectors, significantly affecting research and development efforts set out in the World Health Organization’s NTD elimination Roadmaps. Ongoing changes to funding, economic crises, logistics and supply chain disruptions as well as deepening poverty has put a strain on already weak healthcare systems and exacerbated LMIC healthcare challenges. In particular, the delays and constraints to NTD management and elimination programs will have long-reaching consequences highlighting the need for global cooperation and renewed investment to put the NTD roadmap back on track. Targets and milestones are unlikely to be met without significant investment for recovery, in place. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Background Health policy and systems research (HPSR) can strengthen health systems and improve population health outcomes. In the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), there is limited recognition of the importance of HPSR and funding remains the main challenge. This study seeks to: (1) assess the reporting of funding in HPSR papers published between 2010 and 2022 in the EMR, (2) examine the source of funding in the published HPSR papers in the EMR and (3) explore variables influencing funding sources, including any difference in funding sources for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related articles. Methods We conducted a rapid scoping review of HPSR papers published between 2010 and 2022 (inclusively) in the EMR, addressing the following areas: reporting of funding in HPSR papers, source of funding in the published HPSR papers, authors’ affiliations and country of focus. We followed the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines for conducting scoping reviews. We also conducted univariate and bivariate analyses for all variables at 0.05 significance level. Results Of 10,797 articles screened, 3408 were included (of which 9.3% were COVID-19-related). More than half of the included articles originated from three EMR countries: Iran (n = 1018, 29.9%), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (n = 595, 17.5%) and Pakistan (n = 360, 10.6%). Approximately 30% of the included articles did not report any details on study funding. Among articles that reported funding (n = 1346, 39.5%), analysis of funding sources across all country income groups revealed that the most prominent source was national (55.4%), followed by international (41.7%) and lastly regional sources (3%). Among the national funding sources, universities accounted for 76.8%, while governments accounted for 14.9%. Further analysis of funding sources by country income group showed that, in low-income and lower-middle-income countries, all or the majority of funding came from international sources, while in high-income and upper-middle-income countries, national funding sources, mainly universities, were the primary sources of funding. The majority of funded articles’ first authors were affiliated with academia/university, while a minority were affiliated with government, healthcare organizations or intergovernmental organizations. We identified the following characteristics to be significantly associated with the funding source: country income level, the focus of HPSR articles (within the EMR only, or extending beyond the EMR as part of international research consortia), and the first author’s affiliation. Similar funding patterns were observed for COVID-19-related HPSR articles, with national funding sources (78.95%), mainly universities, comprising the main source of funding. In contrast, international funding sources decreased to 15.8%. Conclusion This is the first study to address the reporting of funding and funding sources in published HPSR articles in the EMR. Approximately 30% of HPSR articles did not report on the funding source. Study findings revealed heavy reliance on universities and international funding sources with minimal role of national governments and regional entities in funding HPSR articles in the EMR. We provide implications for policy and practice to enhance the profile of HPSR in the region.

Abstract Background Rare diseases pose immense challenges for healthcare systems due to their low prevalence, associated disabilities, and attendant treatment costs. Advancements in gene therapy, such as treatments for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), have introduced novel therapeutic options, but the high costs, exemplified by Zolgensma® at US$2.1 million, present significant financial barriers. This scoping review aimed to compare the funding approaches for rare disease treatments across high-performing health systems in Australia, Singapore, South Korea, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US), aiming to identify best practices and areas for future research. Methods In accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines and the methodological framework by Arksey and O’Malley and ensuing recommendations, a comprehensive search of electronic databases (Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane) and grey literature from health department websites and leading national organizations dedicated to rare diseases in these countries was conducted. Countries selected for comparison were high-income countries with advanced economies and high-performing health systems: Australia, Singapore, South Korea, the UK, and the US. The inclusion criteria focused on studies detailing drug approval processes, reimbursement decisions and funding mechanisms, and published from 2010 to 2024. Results Based on a thorough review of 18 published papers and grey literature, various strategies are employed by countries to balance budgetary constraints and access to rare disease treatments. Australia utilizes the Life Saving Drugs Program and risk-sharing agreements. Singapore depends on the Rare Disease Fund, which matches public donations. South Korea’s National Health Insurance Service covers specific orphan drugs through risk-sharing agreements. The UK relies on the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to evaluate treatments for cost-effectiveness, supported by the Innovative Medicines Fund. In the US, a combination of federal and state programs, private insurance and non-profit support is used. Conclusion Outcome-based risk-sharing agreements present a practical solution for managing the financial strain of costly treatments. These agreements tie payment to actual treatment efficacy, thereby distributing financial risk and promoting ongoing data collection. Countries should consider adopting and expanding these agreements to balance immediate expenses with long-term benefits, ultimately ensuring equitable access to crucial treatments for patients afflicted by rare diseases.

Abstract Alzheimer’s disease (AD), breast cancer (BC) and prostate cancer (PC) continue to be high in the research and innovation agenda of the European Commission (EC). This is due to their exceptionally large burden to the national health systems, the profound economic effects of opportunity costs attributable to decreased working ability, premature mortality and the ever-increasing demand for both hospital and home-based medical care. Over the last two decades, the EC has been steadily increasing both the number of proposals being funded and the amounts of financial resources being allocated to these fields of research. This trend has continued throughout four consecutive science funding cycles, namely framework programme (FP)5, FP6, FP7 and Horizon 2020 (H2020). We performed a retrospective assessment of the outputs and outcomes of EC funding in AD, BC and PC research over the 1999–2019 period by means of selected indicators. These indicators were assessed for their ability to screen the past, present and future for an array of causal relationships and long-term trends in clinical, epidemiological and public health sphere, while considering also the broader socioeconomic impact of funded research on the society at large. This analysis shows that public–private partnerships with large industry and university-based consortia have led to some of the most impactful proposals being funded over the analysed time period. New pharmaceuticals, small molecules and monoclonal antibodies alike, along with screening and prevention, have been the most prominent sources of innovation in BC and PC, extending patients’ survival and enhancing their quality of life. Unlike oncology, dementia drug development has been way less successful, with only minor improvements related to the quality of supportive medical care for symptoms and more sensitive diagnostics, without any ground-breaking disease-modifying treatment(s). Significant progresses in imaging diagnostics and nanotechnology have been largely driven by the participation of medical device industry multinational companies. Clinical trials funded by the EC were conducted, leading to the development of brand-new drug molecules featuring novel mechanisms of action. Some prominent cases of breakthrough discoveries serve as evidence for the European capability to generate cutting-edge technological innovation in biomedicine. Less productive areas of research may be reconsidered as priorities when shaping the new agenda for forthcoming science funding programmes.

Discovery research is the starting point for the development of more effective anti‐cancer treatments. It requires an interdisciplinary research environment with first‐class infrastructural support in which curiosity‐driven research can lead to new concepts for treating cancer. Translating such research findings to clinical practice requires complementary skills and infrastructures, including high‐quality clinical facilities, access to patient cohorts and participation of pharma. This complex ecosystem has yielded many new but also “me too” treatment regimens, especially in immuno‐oncology resulting in an extremely high pricing of anti‐cancer agents. The costs of antibodies, vaccines, and cell therapies charged by pharma stand out although the concepts and methodologies have been largely developed in academia, financed from public funds. Comprehensive Cancer Centres (CCCs) covering a coherent stretch of the cancer research continuum are well‐positioned to make these personalized treatments more affordable, but this will require restructuring of the way the translational cancer research continuum is funded.

Background: This study investigates the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence, management, and control of the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) highlighting the current or prospective impact of COVID-19 on research and development funding for, and execution of, NTD programmes. This review was conducted to determine if, and how, NTDs were affected by COVID-19, and whether those effects will delay the elimination goals of the Sustainable Development goals. Methods: Using open-source available data from policy and documentation from official websites of the relevant stakeholders including but not limited to World Health Organization (WHO) documents and policies, government foreign aid documents, and the Policy Cures G-Finder reports, this scoping review explored ongoing challenges to supporting research and development (R&D) for the NTDs and in maintaining NTD control programs; examined the constraints posed for NTD management by the pandemic from disruptions to healthcare services, reduction of finance and explored the potential long-term implications and consequences for those poorer, neglected populations in low and middle income-countries (LMICs). This was done by a scoping review literature search, publications were subject to an initial practical screening step to ensure the most relevant publications were selected for full screening, with the focus on scoping the designated topic of the impact of COVID-19 on NTDs. We further undertook an evaluation of the socio-economic factors exacerbating the impact of COVID-19 on NTD burden. Results: Multiple disruptions and setbacks, likely to affect NTD programmes and progress towards their elimination targets were identified in this study. R&D funding for the NTDs and AIDs and TB has declined since the funding high point of 2019, and for malaria since the high point of 2018. Significant changes in allocation of R&D funding within the NTDs are observed post pandemic, likely because of prioritization among donors. Diseases for which the least R&D investment was reported in place, prior to the pandemic (mycetoma, taeniasis/cysticercosis, trachoma and Buruli ulcer) have been particularly impacted post pandemic. We identified specific NTDs including schistosomiasis, leprosy, and rabies that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and disruptions caused to on ongoing NTD control and elimination programs. Pandemic restrictions disrupted essential medical supply manufacturing and distribution impacting immunization programs and hindered efforts to control the spread of infectious diseases. NTD programmes have experienced numerous setbacks including delays in mass drug administration programs (e.g. for schistosomiasis), cancelled or delayed vaccination programs (e.g. for rabies) and closure of testing facilities has resulted in reduced diagnosis, treatment, and disease elimination for all NTDs. Lockdowns and clinic closures causing disruption to essential healthcare services restricted NTD surveillance and treatment programs. Community fears around contracting COVID-19 exacerbated the constraints to service delivery. Disparities in global vaccine distribution have widened with LMICs facing limited access to vaccines and disruption to immunization programs. Finally, the pandemic has led to increased poverty with poor and marginalized communities, impacting nutrition, healthcare access and education all of which have long term implications for NTD management and control. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted global health research and global health equity. Attention and funding were diverted from all sectors, significantly affecting research and development efforts set out in the World Health Organization's NTD elimination Roadmaps. Ongoing changes to funding, economic crises, logistics and supply chain disruptions as well as deepening poverty has put a strain on already weak healthcare systems and exacerbated LMIC healthcare challenges. In particular, the delays and constraints to NTD management and elimination programs will have long-reaching consequences highlighting the need for global cooperation and renewed investment to put the NTD roadmap back on track. Targets and milestones are unlikely to be met without significant investment for recovery, in place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an age of geopolitical tensions, researchers need to be realistic and think beyond fundamental science to chart a safe path for collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While inclusive education is widely promoted around the world, the meaning assigned to it remains ambiguous. Regarding that different interpretations have implications for teachers’ attitudes and behaviours, those interpretations could possibly exert influence on the inclusive school implementation by teachers. The present study sought to identify how French teachers define inclusive education, as well as the reasons they perceive as justifying its implementation. To this purpose, 251 teachers completed an online questionnaire. The results show that teachers’ harbour wide-ranging definitions, with a significant proportion viewing inclusive education as being rooted in an integrative approach (i.e. school viewed as the welcoming place of Special Educational Needs (SEN) students before being the place of their education). Moreover, teachers’ perceived reasons, while mainly based on universalist concerns, also often cite non-student-centred aspects like political strategies or material aspects such as funding. The results of this study may help to understand why difficulties persist in the implementation of inclusive education in France and likely abroad as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractMaintaining or increasing tax-based allocations is a strategic imperative for many public park and recreation agencies. Some agencies have the capacity to do so by sponsoring ballot initiatives proposing property tax increases in support of operational and capital expenses. In this manuscript we investigate the role of beliefs about the economy in shaping perceptions of such “greenspace ballot initiatives.” Specifically, we examine whether attitudes toward, and support for, greenspace ballot initiatives vary according to an individual’s willingness to buy—operationalized as their consumer confidence. Our results indicate that—independent of income—voters with higher levels of consumer confidence feel more positively toward ballot initiatives that would raise their property taxes to support public parks and recreation, and are more likely to vote in favor of them. We conclude by discussing potential implications for decision makers and future research efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a strategic impact and assessment approach—the Rubin-Imbens potential outcomes framework—to help identify the causal effects of initiatives for arts and culture organizations, which is increasingly required by the public and stakeholders in an era of financial precarity and digitization. This framework not only strengthens the argument for diversified arts funding, but also equips organizations with the tools necessary for developing sustainable business models. After embedding the proposal in the context of prior literature, I provide some practical guidance that organizations can use to achieve operational sustainability without compromising their artistic missions. The adoption of the Rubin-Imbens framework in arts management has the potential to produce more rigorous impact assessments that ultimately lead to improved outcomes and funding opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As staff support offers are withdrawn, we reflect on how working within a regional staff resilience hub has shaped our understanding of staff support and clinical psychologists' role in this. We argue that resilience hubs are key to providing effective and accessible care to our workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While guest or honourary authorship in academic papers is a broadly and widely discussed phenomenon in biomedical research, the issue of the use—or abuse—of article-processing charges (APCs) as a form of potential authorship exchange currency, that is, the 'APC ring,' is neither being considered nor discussed. The APC is central to the open-access (OA) movement, specifically the gold OA model. It is conceivable that, in a hyper-competitive academic publishing environment where the number of gold OA journals is growing, a segment of poorly funded researchers aiming to publish in ranked OA journals with out-of-reach APCs might turn to richer or well-funded researchers to cover the APC bill in exchange for authorship. Despite this, no published cases directly documenting APC-for-authorship schemes as a form of guest authorship appear to exist, which seems inconceivable. One possible explanation is that if such unethical behaviour were to be detected by APC-charging OA journals, it might not be reported as such. In this situation, APC-dependent OA journals would be conflicted between receiving a financial lifeline, the APC, and exposing authors that have abused the APC in their journals in exchange for authorship. How would publishers dependent on the APC-based OA model justify receiving APCs derived from an APC ring? Although this form of guest authorship is currently hypothetical, it seems highly likely, so this issue needs greater debate, and if actual case studies exist, these need to be openly and publicly debated to better appreciate how this phenomenon is taking place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citizen science values include increasing natural resource management, enabling large-scale research, promoting education and scientific literacy, addressing environmental injustice, mitigating climate change, and more. Project leaders often work toward multiple outcomes at once and must prioritize their focus. Prioritization is complicated given the competing interests of scientists, volunteers, funders, and others. According to role conflict theory, this negatively affects the ability of project leaders to carry out their jobs. We conducted a phenomenological study with project leaders (n = 65) to understand perceptions as they relate to diverse goals and interests. Project leaders who described misalignment between their own goals and what they perceived to be their organization's goals more frequently reported challenges related to balancing scientists' and volunteers' interests, convincing colleagues to trust data, and being part-time employees. Given these results, we describe important implications for how organizations engaging in citizen science can address these challenges and better achieve goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through an analysis of Allahabad University's functioning, this article argues that independent India's ideas of federalism reimagined university education. New visions of the educated person – linked to ideas about the ideal citizen – changed the kinds of disciplines and universities being funded. With support from industrial elites to buttress the new nation-state's development plans, the state prioritised technical education over arts and humanities to serve a unified economic policy. This change manifested through increased scrutiny over university functioning and crackdowns on student protests. The Indian postcolonial state's "centralised" federalism to manage the national economy and promote national integration impacted university funding. Ultimately, decisions about university funding were tied to the state's vision of the ideal apolitical citizen student, who would contribute to national development. This article highlights the complicated relationship between capital, the postcolonial nation-state, and university autonomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Professional standards for academic health care system pharmacy departments and clinical pharmacists advocate for research and scholarly activities. Developing and sustaining a research program in a clinical pharmacy department is challenging. Over the span of a decade, a robust pharmacy research program was developed in an academic medical center not affiliated with a college of pharmacy. The aim of this manuscript is to provide a framework suitable for scaling research in pharmacy departments within an academic medical center. Objectives to accomplish the aim includes describing the structure and evolution of the clinical pharmacy department research program, listing measurable outputs and achievements of the pharmacists and the program and describing the barriers encountered and solutions that were enacted to overcome them. Elements critical to building and sustaining a research program in the pharmacy department included long‐term commitment from within the department, a departmental research infrastructure, support from institutional leadership, research funding from the institution, and a growth mindset in accordance with company initiatives to support evolving research needs. A research curriculum was developed for pharmacy residents and pharmacists, created electronic tools for research proposal scientific reviews and allocation of funds, and established departmental research career development awards that allowed for protected time to pursue research and professional development. Over the first 10 years of the program, publication rates grew more than three‐fold, faculty appointments and promotions increased approximately five‐fold, and pharmacist investigators obtained extramural federal funding. Further offsetting clinical workload relative to dedicated research time remains a challenge. The experience and success at this academic medical center suggest it is feasible to develop a robust, sustainable clinical pharmacy department research program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the complex factors hindering entrepreneurial aspirations in Lebanon, focusing on the absence of a functional financial system and its impact on entrepreneurial intentions. Drawing on surveys conducted with 325 Lebanese participants across three generations, using ordinal regression, the research reveals crucial determinants of entrepreneurial intentions, emphasizing the roles of entrepreneurial attitude, the absence of banking sector services, optimism, risk propensity, and age. Positive attitudes and optimism correlate with stronger intentions; however, the weakened economic situation and lack of a functional financial system diminish this positive correlation. Demographic factors like gender and education do not significantly influence intentions. In addition, the study reveals differences in entrepreneurial intentions determinants across the three generations of X, Y, and Z. This study underscores the urgent need for financial system reforms in Lebanon to enhance stability while advocating for financial literacy programs and private sector initiatives to empower entrepreneurs and expand their businesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]