This document summarizes discussions from a meeting of the International Joint Synthesis Centre. Several synthesis centers were represented, including NCEAS, NESCENT, NIMBIOS, ACEAS, John Wesley Powell, CESAB, EOS, CERN, sDiV, and Tansley. Attendees discussed defining the synthesis center approach, the added value of multi-disciplinary synthesis research, different approaches adopted by centers, the role of bioinformatics, and whether providing crystallized data to policymakers is an important benefit. Outcomes may include a journal article on the importance of synthesis centers or identifying opportunities for future collaboration between centers. The agenda included presentations from various centers and discussions on attracting policymakers