US-Czech conference strengthens bilateral and multidisciplinary collaborations in nanotechnology and chemistry

There are several methods to encourage bilateral and multidisciplinary collaborations-the most oft-used and effective include technical conferences, workshops, and seminars with the optimal combination of people, agenda, and length. However, this balance is difficult to attain, especially for meetings across academic disciplines and geographic borders. For nearly two decades, the US National Academies have developed a series of bilateral meetings to bring together scientists in different countries, which appear to have addressed such challenges via concise meetings with select emerging leaders from disparate fields and sectors. The authors utilized a similar approach to promote US and Czech collaborations in nanotechnology, given their mutual investments in the area and interests in building relationships. The bilateral meeting was held in Prague and designed to focus on nanotechnology and chemistry. The goals were four-fold: (1) evaluate US and Czech capabilities and challenges in nanotechnology and chemistry, (2) identify likely research projects and funding sources for collaborations, (3) celebrate 100 years of US and Czech diplomatic relations, and (4) increase government and public support for bilateral scientific research. The two-day meeting was named the US-Czech Conference on Advanced Nanotechnology and Chemistry. A summary of the research presentations, funding opportunities, panel discussions, and potential joint projects are given herein. It is our hope that this perspective will facilitate similar bilateral meetings in other fields to promote more multidisciplinary research.