Field builder · Science policy · #, Cambridge · Est. 2021
Convergent Research is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2021 that incubates “Focused Research Organizations” (FROs)—time-bound, engineering-heavy research teams intended to build high-impact public scientific infrastructure that academia, startups, and government labs may not be structurally incentivized to deliver. Convergent’s core operating model combines (1) roadmapping to identify high-leverage scientific bottlenecks, (2) recruiting/partnering with founders and funders to launch subsidiary FROs, and (3) providing ongoing governance and operational support so the FROs can ship public goods such as tools, datasets, and other research infrastructure.
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Convergent linked an Issues in Science & Technology article discussing learned lessons from multiple years of FROs and describing what comes next for the model.
Announcing collaboration with ARIA as an Activation Partner (FROST UK)Convergent announced a collaboration with the UK Advanced Research and Intervention Agency (ARIA) to help launch Focused Research Organizations (FROs) for science and technology in the UK (“FROST UK”).
E11 Bio: PRISM platform for self-correcting neuron tracingConvergent’s ecosystem page describes E11 Bio’s PRISM technology as combining protein barcoding, advanced microscopy, and machine learning to address bottlenecks in connectomics.
Lean Use Cases (Lean FRO)The Convergent homepage highlights a release described as Lean Use Cases, a library of use cases for the Lean programming language and proof assistant.
Introducing the Gap Map (v1.0)Convergent released v1.0 of its Fundamental Development Gap Map, described as an interactive portal for exploring bottlenecks holding back science and related bridge-scale technologies.
Launching Convergent’s Substack: Essential TechnologyConvergent announced the launch of the Essential Technology Substack, framing it around the idea that scientific progress is held back by missing essential technologies.