Background:
A growing body of work on knowledge translation (KT) reveals significant gaps betweenwhat is known to improve health, and what is done to improve health. The literature andpractice also suggest that KT has the potential to narrow those gaps, leading to moreevidence-informed healthcare. In response, Canadian health research funders and agencieshave made KT a priority. This article describes how one funding agency determined its KTrole and in the process developed a model that other agencies could use when considering KTprograms.DiscussionWhile ‘excellence’ is an important criterion by which to evaluate and fund health research, italone does not ensure relevance to societal health priorities. There is increased demand forreturn on investments in health research in the form of societal and health system benefits.Canadian health research funding agencies are responding to these demands by emphasizingrelevance as a funding criterion and supporting researchers and research users to use theevidence generated.Based on recommendations from the literature, an environmental scan, broad circulation ofan iterative discussion paper, and an expert working group process, our agency developed aplan to maximize our role in KT. Key to the process was development of a model comprisingfive key functional areas that together create the conditions for effective KT: advancing KTscience; building KT capacity; managing KT projects; funding KT activities; and advocatingfor KT. Observations made during the planning process of relevance to the KT enterprise are:the importance of delineating KT and communications, and information and knowledge;determining responsibility for KT; supporting implementation and evaluation; and promotingthe message that both research and KT take time to realize results.SummaryChallenges exist in fulfilling expectations that research evidence results in beneficial impactsfor society. However, health agencies are well placed to help maximize the use of evidence inhealth practice and policy. We propose five key functional areas of KT for health agencies,and encourage partnerships and discussion to advance the field.