New non-profit emerges with focus on funding advances in human health and well-being
Corundum Convergence Institute to provide grant funding for early-stage research and startups focused on neuroscience, AI and systems biology.
A new health-focused non-profit organization, the Corundum Convergence Institute (CCI), has launched with the aim of improving human health through a strategic focus on neuroscience and systems biology. The Boston-based 501(c)(3) organization’s mission is to support early-stage innovation by sponsoring research and venture philanthropy at the intersection of these disciplines, leveraging AI and machine learning.
CCI’s model is designed to counteract the limitations faced by many early-career scientists and innovators, who often struggle with short-term funding constraints. By providing sustained resources, CCI aims to support far-reaching, high-impact research, and prioritizes multidisciplinary collaboration.
By focusing on transformative ideas, such as therapeutic techniques that integrate neuro-inspired artificial intelligence and CRISPR technology, CCI aims to revolutionize fields like neurodegenerative and metabolic disease research. The institute’s approach seeks to spark advancements in human health, ensuring that promising research projects have the resources and networks they need to create sustainable, real-world impact.
The first funding opportunity presented by CCI relates to The Human Phenotype Project, and calls for researchers to “identify novel molecular markers with diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic value, and to develop prediction models for disease onset and progression.”
CCI is part of Japan’s Corundum Corp, founded by CEO Yasushi Yamamoto, who had a vision for creating a global venture network built on strategic patience and a commitment to addressing the world’s toughest challenges to yield the greatest societal benefits.
“Corundum Convergence Institute is building a platform where groundbreaking science is not only supported but also stewarded with a clear pathway to societal benefit,” said Yamamoto. “By integrating resources and leveraging expertise from across the Corundum network, we are positioning CCI to be a critical force in bridging cutting-edge research with real-world impact, laying the foundation for a new era in health innovation.”
CCI is led by president and exec director Dr Caleb Bell, who said that the organization is addressing a global landscape where access to quality healthcare remains uneven and, in some areas, is even declining.
“Solving these challenges requires scientific rigor and exploration of complex, interconnected systems that underpin human health,” he said. “The classic reductionist approach to R&D viewed these as distinct scientific disciplines to be studied in isolation.”
CCI’s approach is rooted in a belief in fostering ambitious research through venture philanthropy and sponsored initiatives, especially in projects that hold the potential for paradigm-shifting outcomes.
“We are empowering scientists and innovators to take a new approach to today’s biggest challenges, supported by a global ecosystem of like-minded individuals,” added Bell. “With a systems biology, non-reductionist mindset, groundbreaking insights can be rapidly translated into viable solutions that improve global health and well-being.”
