Implementation science

Implementation science is the study of the methods and strategies that enable research uptake into practice. Implementation science is especially relevant in low- and middle-income countries, where it can help ensure that limited resources are invested in cost-effective interventions.

With the aim to improve population health, implementation science examines what works, for whom and under what circumstances. It also looks at how effective interventions can be scaled up within and between countries, while maintaining equity of access, for example, across gender, age, and socioeconomic status.

The ‘Know-Do’ Gap

Implementation research takes what we know and turns it into what we do.

Implementation science is the study of the methods and strategies that enable research uptake into practice. Implementation science is especially relevant in low- and middle-income countries, where it can help ensure that limited resources are invested in cost-effective interventions.

Implementation research is needed to account for the complexities of the systems in which interventions are implemented since other approaches often fail to address these. Results of implementation research support evidence-based policymaking that can build robust programmes to improve public health.

At GACD, we put implementation science at the core of each of our joint research funding programmes, with successful projects addressing urgent implementation challenges across the globe.