Implementation Science (IS) Pilot Program

The Implementation Science (IS) Pilot Program is a collaboration with Frontiers Implementation and Measurement for Program Assessment, Change and Translation (IMPACT) team. The IS Pilot Program’s goal is to support implementation science studies that address barriers to the adoption, adaptation, integration and/or sustainability of evidence-based guidelines, interventions, tools, policies or other innovations. This funding opportunity is designed to support implementation science that addresses questions on how to move proven approaches into practice across a variety of settings. We expect these projects to generate preliminary data that investigators will use for subsequent extramural funding applications.

Request for Applications (RFA)

Introduction

The National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences’ (NCATS) mission is to turn biomedical research discoveries into health solutions, including diagnostics, treatments, and interventions, through the application of translational science. Their vision is “More treatments for all people more quickly”. The NCATS Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Program, supports translational research and science through fostering collaborations among academic institutions that will improve the efficiency, quality and impact of the process for improving human health.

Translational Science Requirement

Pilot projects are required to focus on translational science, i.e., understanding a scientific or operational principle underlying a step of the translational process with the goal of developing generalizable principles to accelerate translational research. Applicants are required to address at least one of the principles but should include all relevant principles.

Implementation Science

Projects must propose innovative research to understand the implementation context, enhance implementation measures and methods, and improve the implementation process.

Examples of relevant Implementation Science studies that may be supported:

• Testing or tailoring of dissemination and implementation strategies to enhance adoption of evidence-based interventions
• Examining the scale-up, sustainability, or spread of effective interventions
• Improving methods or measures for implementation outcomes
• Development or refinement of implementation tools (e.g., decision-support, audit-and-feedback reports, workflow integration aids)
• Qualitative or mixed-methods studies to identify barriers and facilitators to implementation
• Adaptation of evidence-based interventions for new populations, settings, or delivery models
• Studies designed to de-implement or reduce the use of practices that lack evidence, were adopted prematurely, provide minimal benefit, or are potentially harmful or wasteful

All Frontiers CTSI members at partner institutions.