The purpose of this conference is to advance understanding regarding the effectiveness of alternative institutional arrangements for harnessing science and technology to support development around the world. The conference will pursue this goal through a comparative approach involving scholars with expertise in a variety of sectoral (e.g., agriculture, health) and national research and innovation systems. The conference will build upon, enrich with outside expertise, and integrate the results of a semester-long research seminar on "Knowledge for Development" that is currently running through Harvard's Center for International Development. It is being conducted in collaboration with the National Academy of Science's Roundtable on Science and Technology for Sustainability.