Funding evidence into action

This report by the Oak Foundation examines the effectiveness of various “Evidence into Action” (EiA) models, which aim to bridge the gap between research and real-world impact. It assesses different models of EiA, identifying six distinct approaches that vary in their level of engagement with end users. It explores funding strategies that have proven successful in promoting EiA, highlighting specific examples from funders such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the William T. Grant Foundation. 

Recommendations for funders to support evidence into action

The report offers several key recommendations for funders who want to support the integration of Evidence into Action (EiA) in research projects. These recommendations encompass funding approaches, capacity-building initiatives, fostering collaboration, promoting equity, and encouraging flexibility.

1. Funding the full EiA process: Funders should provide support that extends beyond the initial research and communication phases, acknowledging that influencing policy and practice requires sustained effort over time. This includes supporting:

• Development of an influencing strategy.
• Stakeholder engagement processes.
• Capacity building where needed.
• Knowledge brokering and knowledge translation capacities beyond the initial communication of research findings.

2. Embracing an ecosystem approach: Funders should adopt a systems thinking lens to the problem analysis and develop funding strategies that impact a wide range of actors operating within the system of interest. This can include:

• Supporting learning exchanges.
• Supporting network development.
• Supporting the co-creation of interventions and strategies.
• Funding platforms, alliances, or other mechanisms that foster multi-stakeholder partnerships.
• Investing in the development of “connective tissue” to bring all actors together and provide incentives and infrastructure for joint action.

3. Incentivising collaboration: Funders should prioritise research proposals that demonstrate a strong commitment to collaboration and partnership. This can be achieved through:

• Prioritising proposals from multi-disciplinary teams that include members with expertise in communication, knowledge translation, influencing, and policy advocacy.
• Funding EiA/knowledge translation/influencing roles and infrastructure.
• Prioritising proposals from research teams that have partnered with practitioners, advocates, and other actors.
• Encouraging collaboration among agencies and funders themselves.

3. Helping to increase EiA capacities: Funders should prioritise investments in capacity-building activities for both researchers and practitioners:

• Offering training on EiA approaches, data literacy, communication skills, and policy engagement.
• Supporting and providing financial resources to programme implementers to strengthen their capacity to collect evidence on their own programmes.
• Encouraging and supporting grantee partners to develop EiA components or strategy as part of their grant proposals and research plans.
• Training early-career researchers in EiA approaches and models.
• Investing in the development of skills in programme implementation science.

4. Centring equity in the EiA process: Funders should identify and address systemic and structural barriers that keep certain voices and experiences marginalised in the research process. This can include:

• Initiating engagement with communities early in the process.
• Prioritising community-level participatory research.
• Valuing diverse ways of knowing and forms of evidence, including the knowledge of practitioners, survivors, and communities.

5. Allowing for flexibility: Funders should employ flexible funding mechanisms that enable grantees to adapt to emerging opportunities and course-correct their plans as needed.

6. Communicating a vision and understanding of EiA: Funders should clearly articulate their understanding of EiA to potential grantees and encourage a dialogue about what EiA means for them. This can include:

• Developing user-friendly position statements on EiA.
• Developing outcome frameworks to guide EiA projects.
• Providing clear definitions of key EiA concepts.
• Providing examples of successful EiA models.

7. Funding approaches and tactics: Examples of funding approaches that funders can use to support EiA:

• Launch specific calls for research with a strong EiA orientation.
• Launch specific calls to advance knowledge about EiA.
• Fund a dedicated EiA or policy role embedded in the research project.
• Fund advocacy platforms to use the evidence and organise collective action.
• Convene networking and exchange spaces where advocates and researchers can connect.
• Invest in knowledge brokers as key actors in a dynamic knowledge ecosystem.
• Sponsor advocates to attend conferences related to the field of interest.

By adopting these recommendations, funders can play a crucial role in supporting the development and implementation of more effective EiA initiatives.