Patrick Brannelly, CEO of The 10,000 Brains Project, recently participated as a featured speaker at the CASE Annual Conference for Corporate and Foundation Relations Officers 2026, joining leaders from philanthropy, academia, and research funding organizations to discuss the future of sustainable biomedical research funding.

The panel, Future-Proofing Biomedical Research: Sustainable Philanthropic Models, explored how academic institutions and philanthropic organizations can build stronger, more collaborative partnerships in an increasingly complex funding environment. Discussions focused on aligning mission-driven philanthropy with institutional strategy, creating resilient funding models, supporting early-career investigators, and investing in infrastructure that enables long-term scientific progress.

Brannelly emphasized the growing role philanthropy is playing in shaping not only how research is funded, but how it is conducted. “Philanthropies are seeking to change how research is done,” said Brannelly. “They expect a greater sense of urgency and a clearer path to impact for patients in need. They expect collaboration across institutions and more efficient use of resources.”

He also highlighted that institutions willing to embrace more collaborative, impact-oriented research models will be better positioned to attract philanthropic investment—and ultimately drive greater benefit for patients and families.

The panel brought together a distinguished group of leaders across the biomedical research ecosystem, including Amy Smith of Washington University in St. Louis, Emily Baxi, and Christine Lagana Riordan of the Health Research Alliance.

The discussion reinforced a broader shift taking place across biomedical research: a move toward funding models that prioritize collaboration, efficiency, accountability, and measurable impact. For The 10,000 Brains Project, these principles remain central to advancing large-scale neuroscience infrastructure and accelerating discovery in neurodegenerative disease research.