Convergence of the life sciences with fields including physical, chemical, mathematical, computational, engineering, and social sciences is a key strategy to tackle complex challenges and achieve new and innovative solutions. However, institutions face a lack of guidance on how to establish effective programs, what challenges they are likely to encounter, and what strategies other organizations have used to address the issues that arise. This advice is needed to harness the excitement generated by the concept of convergence and channel it into the policies, structures, and networks that will enable it to realize its goals. Convergence investigates examples of organizations that have established mechanisms to support convergent research. This report discusses details of current programs, how organizations have chosen to measure success, and what has worked and not worked in varied settings. The report summarizes the lessons learned and provides organizations with strategies to tackle practical needs and implementation challenges in areas such as infrastructure, student education and training, faculty advancement, and inter-institutional partnerships. Contents SUMMARY 1 1 INTRODUCTION 17 1.1 A Science and Technology Revolution is Occurring, 18 1.2 Convergence is an Expanded Form of Interdisciplinary Research, 20 1.3 Convergent Thinking is Advancing Science, 21 1.4 Institutions Need Guidance to Foster Convergence Effectively, 26 1.5 Organization of the Report, 28 2 CONVERGENCE IN ACTION 31 2.1 A Knowledge Network Will Improve Disease Treatment, 31 2.2 Three Dimensional Printing Will Bring New Healthcare Options, 32 2.3 Convergence Occurs in Federal Agencies: ARPA-E, 35 2.4 Convergence Occurs in Industry: Biotechnology, 36 2.5 Convergence Stimulates the Bio-based Economy, 39 3 CONVERGENCE IS INFORMED BY RESEARCH AREAS WITH BROAD SCOPE 43 3.1 Terminology and Concepts, 43 3.2 Many Factors Affect the Success of Integrative and Collaborative Research, 46 3.3 Revising STEM Education Will Facilitate Convergence, 53 3.4 Convergence May Contribute to Understanding Quantification and Reproducibility in Life Sciences, 56 3.5 Convergence Extends Beyond the Integration of Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Medicine, and Engineering, 58 4 FOSTERING CONVERGENCE IN ORGANIZATIONS: CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES 59 4.1 Convergence is Facilitated by Depth and Breadth of Expertise, 62 4.2 Diverse Perspectives Support Innovation, 64 4.3 Convergence Requires a Culture and Supporting Structures, 64 4.4 Convergence Intersects with Faculty Structures and Reward Systems, 69 4.5 Facilities and Workspaces Can Be Designed for Convergent Research, 77 4.6 New Education and Training Programs Can Be Developed to Foster Convergence, 80 4.7 Convergence Relies on Effective Partnership Arrangements, 84 4.8 Sustainable Funding is Necessary for Convergence Efforts, 87 4.9 The Convergence Ecosystem Includes Core Elements, 90 5 ADVANCING KNOWLEDGE AND SOLVING COMPLEX PROBLEMS THROUGH CONVERGENCE: CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 93 5.1 Conclusions and Recommendations, 94 5.2 National Coordination is Needed, 100 REFERENCES 107 APPENDIXES A Committee Member Biographies 115 B Workshop on Key Challenges in the Implementation of Convergence: Agenda and Participants 123