Since 2018, GACD has run an annual Implementation Science School as part of its commitment to capacity strengthening.
The GACD Implementation Science School is an intensive programme for early-career researchers, facilitated by some of the field’s most prominent global experts. Through lectures, small group sessions, facilitated group work, and panel discussions, trainees learn how to study and implement research findings into policy and practice, select and apply theories, models, and frameworks, and create a professional network for future collaborations.
The School and all the associated resources are provided free of charge to successful applicants.
The aims of the School include:
To introduce early- and mid-career researchers to the field of implementation science.
To facilitate collaboration and networking.
To explore examples of implementation research and the process of moving research findings into policy and practice.
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Applications for the Eighth GACD Implementation Science School 2025 closed on Monday 21 July 2025 at 12:00 (midday) UTC.
Below is an overview of the School dates for 2025. The School’s training materials and live interactions are fully online (no in-person content). Trainees are expected to attend all online plenary sessions and all relevant online group sessions.
All times are listed in Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) on the dates specified. You are strongly encouraged to double check conversion to your local time.
Trainee orientation session
Plenary session time and date to be announced
Session 1: The science of implementation
Plenary session on Monday 3 November 2025 at 11:30-13:00 UTC
Group session A on Monday 3 November 2025 at 14:00 UTC (up to two hours)
Group session B on Tuesday 4 November 2025 at 06:30 UTC (up to two hours)
Session 2: Stakeholder engagement
Plenary session on Wednesday 5 November 2025 at 11:30-13:00 UTC
Group session A on Wednesday 5 November 2025 at 14:00 UTC (up to two hours)
Group session B on Thursday 6 November 2025 at 06:30 UTC (up to two hours)
Session 3: Theories, models, frameworks, and context
Plenary session on Monday 10 November 2025 at 11:30-13:00 UTC
Group session A on Monday 10 November 2025 at 14:00 UTC (up to two hours)
Group session B on Tuesday 11 November 2025 at 06:30 UTC (up to two hours)
Session 4: Designing and testing implementation strategies
Plenary session on Monday 17 November 2025 at 11:30-13:00 UTC
Group session A on Monday 17 November 2025 at 14:00 UTC (up to two hours)
Group session B on Tuesday 18 November 2025 at 06:30 UTC (up to two hours)
Session 5: Integrating implementation research into your work
Plenary session on Wednesday 19 November 2025 at 11:30-13:00 UTC
Group session A on Wednesday 19 November 2025 at 14:00 UTC (up to two hours)
Group session B on Thursday 20 November 2025 at 06:30 UTC (up to two hours)
Session 6: Team presentations and reflections
Plenary session on Monday 24 November 2025 at 11:15-13:15 UTC
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Selected trainees are asked to watch all the lecture recordings under the Fundamentals Programme on the GACD e-Hub in advance of the School start date. These materials form the core learning of the School and are open access.
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All teaching and instruction will be delivered in English. Applicants should be proficient in English in order to take full advantage of the programme.
Eligible applicants include people who meet one of the following criteria:
Completed or undertaking postgraduate coursework or research related to clinical or public health (or a related field).
Recently completed a PhD relevant to implementation science and/or NCDs.
Other relevant graduates with up to 5 years research experience.
Preference will be given to:
Applicants whose research is focused on non-communicable diseases.
Applicants from low- and middle-income countries or members of Indigenous communities.
Early- and mid-career applicants undertaking their research within low- and middle-income countries or with Indigenous populations in high-income countries.
To ensure international diversity, trainees from any one institution may be limited. Attendees from previous GACD Implementation Science Schools will not be eligible for this event.
Applicants will be asked to submit the following information during the application process for consideration by the selection committee:
A copy of your CV / resume.
A personal statement outlining what has motivated you to apply and why you are a good candidate for the School (up to 300 words).
Your two key learning objectives you hope to achieve by attending the School (up to 300 words).
Career trajectory statement, outlining your career aspirations for the next three to five years, and how knowledge of implementation science would be beneficial to your work (up to 300 words).
Confirmation you can commit to time requirements of the School and can attend all sessions.
Explicit support from your supervisor, team leader, or line manager, including a letter of support.
Applications will be assessed by the selection committee based on:
Applicant’s commitment to, and motivation for, implementation research.
The potential for the applicant to benefit from the School.
Robust team or institutional support for the applicant to attend the School.
Feedback on applications
In 2025, the GACD Implementation Science School received a record number of high-calibre applicants, making the selection process incredibly competitive. If we were unable to offer you a place, please find below some further insight into our decision-making process to help you strengthen any future applications. We hope this provides some reassurance about the rigour of our selection process and the care put into reviewing every application.
Past Schools
Eighth GACD Implementation Science School 2025 (Online)
For the Eighth School in 2025, we welcomed a record 61 trainees from 31 countries of residence, representing 25 nationalities.
Seventh GACD Implementation Science School 2024 (Online)
For the Seventh School in 2024, we welcomed 41 trainees from 23 countries of residence, representing 22 nationalities.
Sixth GACD Implementation Science School 2023 (Online)
For the Sixth School in 2023, we welcomed 38 trainees from 20 countries of residence, representing 21 nationalities.
Fifth GACD Implementation Science School 2022 (Online)
For the Fifth School in 2022, we welcomed 37 trainees from 28 countries of residence, representing 27 nationalities.
Fourth GACD Implementation Science School 2021 (Online)
Following the success of the 2020 online delivery, the Fourth School was delivered online. We welcomed 52 participants from 24 countries of residence and representing 30 nationalities.
“The School opened so many collaborating opportunities for me to explore. I will soon get in touch with my new contacts, I anticipate great implementation science projects that will inform policies in East Africa and the entire African Region.”
- Trainee from the Fourth School
Third GACD Implementation Science School 2020 (Online)
Due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020 delivery of the School pivoted online. We were delighted to welcome 43 trainees to the online event, taking place over two weeks.
A description of the adaptations and an evaluation of the Third School was published in the International Journal of Public Health – you can access the article here.
Second GACD Implementation Science School 2019 (Bangkok, Thailand)
The Second School was co-hosted by Thailand’s Health Systems Research institute and Mahidol University in collaboration with GACD. We welcomed 51 trainees from Thailand and worldwide to participate.
Inaugural GACD Implementation Science School 2018 (Campinas, Brazil)
The Inaugural School was co-hosted by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) in collaboration with GACD. We welcomed 62 trainees (22 from Brazil, 40 from other countries) to Campinas to participate.
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