Lessons Learned from a Cancer Knowledge Translation Grants Program: Results of an Evaluation

Abstract

Background A novel way to build capacity in knowledge translation (KT) is through KT-focused grant competitions. Since 2009, the Knowledge Translation Research Network (KT-Net) has had a cancer-related KT grants program. We undertook an evaluation of the program to determine if KT-Net was achieving its aims of building capacity in cancer KT, advancing the science of KT, building partnerships, and leveraging funding.Methods An adapted framework guided the evaluation. Nine funded studies from 4 competitions were included. Semi-structured telephone interviews were held with researchers, stakeholders (including knowledge users), members of grant review panels, and experts in kt. Interview transcripts were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed thematically. A review of proposal and report documents was also conducted.Results Funded researchers indicated that the grant competition was an essential funding program for cancer KT research. Competitions were perceived to build capacity in cancer KT among early-career researchers and to encourage innovative cancer KT research for which alternative funding sources are limited. The grants program resulted in incremental gains in advancing the science of kt. Suggestions to improve the program included stronger partnerships between the funder and the provincial cancer-system organization to optimize the application of research that is relevant to the organization’s strategic objectives.Conclusions The grants program met many of its aims by providing cancer researchers with an opportunity to gain capacity in cancer KT and by making incremental advances in KT science. Suggestions to improve the program included closer partnerships between the funder and the cancer-system organization.

Capacity development for knowledge mobilization: a scoping review of the concepts and practices

“…The second insight is about the relational goals in strategies for KMb capacity development. Beyond offering opportunities for co-learning and developing trust among partners (Straus et al, 2011), relational strategies can be impactful in building the capacities for KMb by helping to produce more relevant research outputs and educating participants to engage in KMb activities (Gerrish, 2010;Dilkes et al, 2011;Boyko et al, 2012;Allen et al, 2013;Murnaghan et al, 2013;Restrepo et al, 2014;McCay et al, 2015;Mansilla et al, 2017;Mulvale et al, 2017;Hung et al, 2018;Dannevig et al, 2019;O'Brien et al, 2019). For instance, Edelstein (2016); Haynes et al (2020); Hope (2016); Cooper et al (2017) found that research partnerships with community partners build capacity for research use by giving more access to data, providing professional development opportunities, and creating more outputs for knowledge users, making KMb 'built-in' to research projects, and inducing more systemic changes.…”

Impact of the Knowledge Translation Research Network’s Grants Program in Cancer Knowledge Translation

“…In this issue of Current Oncology, we report the results of an evaluation of KT-Net's grants program 10 . The evaluation concluded that the program achieved its aims of building capacity in cancer kt research, especially among researchers new to kt; making contributions to advancing the science of kt; building strategic partnerships; and leveraging funding.…”