I do not think it makes sense for the Fellowship to supplant research at big universities, or even compete with it. Flawless these are not, but there is much good derived from academic, basic science.

I do think that the Fellowship can be an interesting venue for young scientists to explore the cracks between basic science and industrial progress. A grounded student with a clever project can make good use of the fellowship understanding what it takes to bring that project closer to the real world.

Translational science can seem rather opaque, and being thrust into that world without a ramp to learn is hard.