Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated the need for a nimble and responsive scientific enterprise, both for tapping into relevant expertise and also for supporting the rapid funding of new research in response to a critical need for time-sensitive solutions. Concurrently, the pandemic has been a quickly evolving natural experiment, affording a rare opportunity to study myriad biomedical, epidemiological, public health, and behavioral and social phenomena. Bringing together members of the research and funding communities, we will present an evaluation of past and present efforts to direct and support “fast science,” including research strategies, resource and infrastructure development, and funding models (Dr. Kristin Brethel-Haurwitz, NIH/OBSSR; Dr. Luke Stoeckel, NIH/NIA; Dr. Adam Russell, University of Maryland, formerly DARPA); discuss issues of practicality and responsiveness in science more generally (Prof. Elliot Berkman, University of Oregon, on practicality issues especially in the social sciences; Dr. Bronwyn MacInnis, Broad Institute, on responsive science for infectious diseases and global health); and respond to questions and comments from the Metascience community.