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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]

Economic analysis of the field of housing construction indicates a certain specificity of its functioning in Ukraine, which is primarily related to the lack of opportunities for developers to invest their own resources in this construction and the need to attract financing at the early stages of the construction of residential real estate objects. The results of the empirical analysis of the dynamics of housing construction financing indicate that the main source of this financing is public funds (from 55% to more than 73% of the total volume of housing construction investments, depending on the year of their implementation). The insufficient level of quantitative and qualitative provision of housing for Ukrainian citizens provokes a constant demand for residential real estate objects, which in turn stimulates the development of housing construction. An analysis of the dynamics of residential real estate commissioning volumes and the amount of capital investments in residential buildings indicates a steady growth of these indicators over the past 10 years, with the exception of the crisis years of 2014 and 2020, in which there was a general decline in the national economy (2014) or even the global (2020) economy, caused by extraordinary circumstances (the Revolution of Dignity and the coronavirus epidemic). However, in subsequent years after these crises, the amount of capital investment in residential construction continued to grow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the author examines how the lack of funding can impact the administration and the organisational efficiency of technical vocational education and training (TVET) institutions (I). The research examines human capital development and TVET as instruments for propelling growth and development and contributing to Trinidad and Tobago's (T&T) economic and social advancements. The study explored how TVETIs can be a central pillar in the progress of T&T's development. The research material consists of 10 interviews with educational experts from four postsecondary TVETIs in T&T and the chief executive of T&T TVET's regulatory body. Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with the leading regulator, instructors, managers, and a curriculum expert. The author utilised thematic analysis in the research by adopting a deductive approach. The data revealed several challenges that engulf the administration and management of TVETI in T&T, mainly because of financial woes. Three themes emerged from the data: Funding for Administration, Funding for Human Capital Development and Funding for Organisational Efficiency. Insightful revelations were unearthed from the educational experts, which were generated from the data which provide an in-depth perspective on the administration and management of TVET in T&T. The results show that T&T's education experts see funding as a significant challenge. Many argue that a lack of funding severely impacts their institutions, which erodes human capital development growth. The study concludes that a lack of funding can severely and has impacted TVET in several ways. An absence or a lack of funding brought the closure of top-notch schools used in the training and growth of teachers for the educational system. Human capital development and TVET were also highlighted as essential tools for economic and social deprivation. However, a better approach is needed to finance TVET moving forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reflecting sex and gender characteristics in biomedical research is critical to improving health outcomes and reducing adverse effects from medical treatments. This study investigates the impact of sex/gender-specific funding policies and journal editorial standards on the integration of sex/gender analysis in biomedical research publications. Using data from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other countries between 2000 and 2021, we assessed how these policies influenced research output in the fields of medicine and life sciences. Our findings show that countries with progressive funding policies and journals promoting sex/gender-based reporting have significantly improved research quality and publication rates. This highlights the importance of coordinated policy efforts and editorial practices in advancing integrated sex/gender research. We recommend continued global efforts from policymakers, funding bodies, and journals to embed sex/gender perspectives in scientific inquiry, ensuring more effective and equitable biomedical advancements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Medical scientists" are postgraduate investigators who are engaged in biomedical research, and either hold a biomedical PhD or are qualified in medicine but do not participate in patient care. Medical scientists constitute ~40% of staff at medical faculties and >90% at nonuniversity medical research institutions in Germany. However, medical scientists in Germany face limited long‐term career prospects and a lack of dedicated training and support programmes. They also face time limits on their career progression arising from national academic employment legislation, and imminent reforms by the German government are likely to make this worse. Nevertheless, recent developments in the educational landscape including the introduction of increasingly focused MSc, pre‐PhD, and doctoral programmes to train medically aware basic scientists, as well as improved general recognition of the roles and relevance of medical scientists in health research, are encouraging. Physiologists have taken essential steps to improve the recognition of medical scientists in Germany by introducing a "specialist physiologist" qualification; this initiative could be applied to support medical scientists in other fields and countries. In this review, we describe the particular challenges facing medical scientists in Germany and make recommendations that may apply to other academic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2020 Dance Research Matters (DRM) campaign led to the launch of the £500,000 AHRC-funded Dance Research Matters Network programme towards the end of 2022. The article discusses the challenging backdrop against which it was formed, and how it exemplifies the mutual aims that researchers and funding bodies can achieve by working together. It asks what 'resilience' and 'transformation' might mean for alternative systems (and ways of being) within and beyond the human domain, and also for models of socio-political organisation at the shifting borders of the dance research sector. Examples and issues arising from the aims and events of the five DRM Networks illustrate how crucial it is when taking an ecological approach to funding dance research, for funders, institutions, researchers, and the Creative Industries to have an awareness of the complex and multi-layered implications involved for individuals, dance-related communities and others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the challenges posed by national legislative frameworks in the European Union Member States regarding the management of publicly funded research and development (R&D) projects. Taking the case of Spain and its General Subsidies Act as an example, this study analyzes 55 R&D funding calls published by the Spanish Central Administration in 2021 and 2022. This research identifies key challenges associated with change management in these projects. This research performed a detailed review of relevant legislation and its application to R&D projects, alongside an analysis of regulatory bases making use of a flexibility index (FI) to assess the adaptability of grant conditions. Also, quantitative methodologies like Pearson's correlation coefficient and principal component analysis were employed. The findings reveal that flexibility in project management, particularly concerning changes in scope, budget, and timeframes, is limited due to the rigidity of the legal framework. This lack of flexibility means a significant challenge for effective project execution, which inherently requires adaptability to manage uncertainty. This research suggests that future reforms should prioritize greater legal flexibility to improve the efficiency and success of publicly funded R&D initiatives. These findings contribute to the broader understanding of how regulatory constraints impact innovation management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into renewable energy and sustainability represents a transformative approach toward achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), especially SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). This study utilized the PRISMA framework to conduct a systematic review, focusing on the role of AI in renewable energy and sustainable development. This research utilized Scopus's curated AI research area, which employs text mining to refine AI concepts into unique keywords. Further refinement via the All Science Journals Classification system and SDG-mapping filters narrowed the focus to publications relevant to renewable energy and SDGs. By employing the BERTopic modeling approach, our study identifies major topics, such as enhancing wind speed forecasts, performance analysis of fuel cells, energy management in elective vehicles, solar irradiance prediction, optimizing biofuel production, and improving energy efficiency in buildings. AI-driven models offer promising solutions to address the dynamic challenges of sustainable energy. Insights from academia-industry collaborations indicate that such partnerships significantly accelerate sustainable-energy transitions, with a focus on AI-driven energy storage, grid management, and renewable-energy forecasting. A global consensus on the critical role of investing in technology-driven solutions for energy sustainability was underscored by the relationship between funding data and global R&D spending patterns. This study serves as a resource for practitioners to harness AI technologies for renewable energy, where for example, AI's accurate wind speed predictions can increase wind farm efficiency, highlighting the necessity of innovation and collaboration for sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the billions of euros used as subsidies over recent decades, Portugal's water sector continues to struggle, being characterized by significant inefficiencies and differences between high- and low-performing water and sanitation services (WSSs). Current subsidy policies lack transparency and are not linked to performance results, undermining efforts to promote efficiency and sustainability in both environmental and financial dimensions. To address these issues, this article highlights relevant aspects to be taken into account in the redefinition of funding allocation in the Portuguese WSS sector. By implementing performance-based criteria for subsidy allocation and prioritization, regardless of the identity of beneficiaries or providers, we aim to instigate accountability and efficiency in this process. The analysis draws on empirical data to highlight the shortcomings of existing practices and demonstrates the potential benefits of adopting the "user-pays" principle. This principle is able to improve the definition of tariffs aiming for full cost recovery, while still providing for disadvantaged and vulnerable customers through social tariffs or assistance programs. Key findings indicate that coordinated efforts among government agencies, regulators, public and private utilities, and municipalities are essential to develop and promote effective financing strategies. This stakeholder's cooperation is essential for managing the urban water cycle sustainably and addressing the sector's long-term challenges. This research implies that a strategic shift in subsidy allocation is required, to develop accountability, efficiency, and equity in the WSS sector. The allocation of financial resources must be better justified to enhance overall performance in the sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

This year's pivotal election will shape the future of US science. Rising international competition and domestic concerns are also at play. [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]

This study examines the effect of the allocation of centralised funding on electoral support for the incumbent by utilising the introduction of the "Towns Fund" in England in 2019 as a natural experiment. For causal identification, I leverage a difference-in-difference design to examine the electoral effect of this fund. My findings suggest that providing funding to constituencies significantly increased the vote share of the Conservative Party in the General Election in 2019. However, in a subset of constituencies in which the Labour Party constitutes the incumbent, the findings can not be replicated for all specifications and robustness checks. Furthermore, I do not find consistent support that the effect is stronger in economically deprived constituencies. Similarly, the results suggest that the voting outcome depends on the total amount of funding being received, however, this finding does not reach statistical significance. These results complement the literature by providing empirical evidence for pork barrel as a functioning means for vote buying for the Conservative government in 2019 in England. Furthermore, this paper emphasises that partisanship should be considered as a mediating variable when analysing the political effect of providing place-based funding. [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 In the present study, the author examines how the lack of funding can impact the administration and the organisational efficiency of technical vocational education and training (TVET) institutions (I). The research examines human capital development and TVET as instruments for propelling growth and development and contributing to Trinidad and Tobago’s (T&T) economic and social advancements. The study explored how TVETIs can be a central pillar in the progress of T&T’s development. The research material consists of 10 interviews with educational experts from four postsecondary TVETIs in T&T and the chief executive of T&T TVET’s regulatory body. Focus groups and individual interviews were conducted with the leading regulator, instructors, managers, and a curriculum expert. The author utilised thematic analysis in the research by adopting a deductive approach. The data revealed several challenges that engulf the administration and management of TVETI in T&T, mainly because of financial woes. Three themes emerged from the data: Funding for Administration, Funding for Human Capital Development and Funding for Organisational Efficiency. Insightful revelations were unearthed from the educational experts, which were generated from the data which provide an in-depth perspective on the administration and management of TVET in T&T. The results show that T&T’s education experts see funding as a significant challenge. Many argue that a lack of funding severely impacts their institutions, which erodes human capital development growth. The study concludes that a lack of funding can severely and has impacted TVET in several ways. An absence or a lack of funding brought the closure of top-notch schools used in the training and growth of teachers for the educational system. Human capital development and TVET were also highlighted as essential tools for economic and social deprivation. However, a better approach is needed to finance TVET moving forward.

Abstract Reflecting sex and gender characteristics in biomedical research is critical to improving health outcomes and reducing adverse effects from medical treatments. This study investigates the impact of sex/gender-specific funding policies and journal editorial standards on the integration of sex/gender analysis in biomedical research publications. Using data from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other countries between 2000 and 2021, we assessed how these policies influenced research output in the fields of medicine and life sciences. Our findings show that countries with progressive funding policies and journals promoting sex/gender-based reporting have significantly improved research quality and publication rates. This highlights the importance of coordinated policy efforts and editorial practices in advancing integrated sex/gender research. We recommend continued global efforts from policymakers, funding bodies, and journals to embed sex/gender perspectives in scientific inquiry, ensuring more effective and equitable biomedical advancements.

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.

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

The deferred maintenance practices for road infrastructure will result in increasing life-cycle costs and deteriorating economic productivity. Governments have addressed the issue by expanding revenue sources, but we don't know much about the revenue allocation mechanisms. This research reviewed 50 states' constitutions and statutes to find the similarities and differences in the institutional features of the funding mechanisms for road maintenance. As of 2020, it found that ten states had strict earmarking mechanisms for securing resources for road maintenance; four states had less strict earmarking mechanisms. Furthermore, this research found wide variations in the designs of 50 states' transportation/highway trust funds and their uses. The research developed the eight propositions to examine the relationship between the funding mechanisms and state highway maintenance spending. Overall, this research contributes to the current literature and policymakers to enhance our understanding of the funding mechanisms of 50 states for road maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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.

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 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.

Morphology has been the fundamental and most important source of information in biology. We strongly believe that in the current molecular era of biology, comparative morphology still has an important role to play in understanding life on Earth and ecosystem functioning, bridging the knowledge gap between evolution, systematics, and ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

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]

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]

As social, environmental, climate change, and public health challenges mount, there is growing recognition that many of the roots of these contemporary crises are to be found in the nature and trajectory of the dominant food and agricultural systems. Consequently, a growing number of Australian civil society organizations (CSOs) seek to engage in processes of food system governance to address concerns of health and wellbeing, sustainability, and resilience. This paper summarizes a case study that explored the characteristics, values, and activities of seven food-related CSOs and identified the factors that enable or hinder their work. The results revealed that while the ability of CSOs to influence food system governance has been modest to date, some progress is being made, particularly regarding food systems governance processes at the local government level, pointing to the possibility of more participatory forms of local food system governance developing. [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]