The document is a presentation by Thomas Kalil, then Deputy Director for Policy at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, delivered at the June 2012 COGR meeting. Kalil outlines the concept and significance of “Grand Challenges” as central to President Obama’s innovation strategy. Grand Challenges are framed as ambitious, technically achievable goals with the potential to yield significant national or global benefits, catalyze cross-disciplinary collaboration, and drive policy innovation. The presentation highlights historical and contemporary examples, such as sequencing the human genome, advancing clean energy (e.g., SunShot, EV Everywhere), and international development challenges spearheaded by USAID.
Kalil emphasizes the role of incentive-based mechanisms, such as prizes and competitions, in stimulating innovation where traditional approaches may fall short. Citing successful initiatives like the Wendy Schmidt Oil Cleanup X Challenge and NASA’s Green Flight Challenge, he illustrates how prizes can spotlight emerging issues, stimulate private sector investment, and attract diverse participants. Furthermore, the presentation calls for broad societal engagement—including governments, philanthropies, academia, industry, and investors—to address these challenges collaboratively. Grand Challenges are portrayed as inspiring public imagination, providing direction (“North Star”) for research and innovation, boosting economic and societal progress, and motivating the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs. The presentation concludes by urging institutions and stakeholders to organize efforts around these transformative goals, underscoring the importance of bold ambition in tackling the complex problems of the 21st century.
