The creation of knowledge does not, of itself, lead to widespread implementation and positive impacts on health. For benefits to flow to Australians, knowledge must be translated into new or improved practices, policies, and technologies.
What is research translation
Research translation is the process of moving research findings into practical applications in real world settings. Research translation ensures research findings are accessible and usable to practitioners, policymakers, and the public to inform decision making and improve health outcomes.
Research translation can include disseminating new clinical interventions and health guidelines and the development and commercialisation of new drugs and medical devices. It can also include changes to health policies, programs and services.
Research translation has a variable timeline and can be affected by many elements. NHMRC facilitates the interaction between research and implementation to positively impact individual and public health through practice and policy changes. We do this through a number of initiatives, funding schemes and programs and through our Research Translation Strategy 2022–2025, which sets out NHMRC's role in supporting the translation of health and medical research.
What is knowledge translation
There are many interchangeable terms relating to the translation of research findings into action, such as knowledge mobilisation and knowledge translation.
NHMRC acknowledges the term knowledge translation has a culturally significant meaning for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. The Lowitja Institute defines knowledge translation as:
‘The complex series of interactions between knowledge holders, knowledge producers and knowledge users, with the goal of research impact, which is the positive and sustainable long-term benefit for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.’
NHMRC is committed to supporting Indigenous-led approaches to research. NHMRC respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing, and supports community-driven pathways to impact. Read more about NHMRC’s commitment to improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes.
The difference between translation and commercialisation
Commercialisation is one of the pathways health and medical research is translated. Unlike the pathway of translating research into policy and practice, commercialisation is the process by which research outcomes are disseminated to a market as new or improved technologies, processes, products, or services that generate economic or social value.
The table below demonstrates the differences between research translation and commercialisation in health and medical research.
| Research Translation | Research Commercialisation | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Bridging the gap between research and real–world use. | A branch of research translation. The process by which the outcomes of research are disseminated to a market as new or improved technologies, processes, products, or services. |
| Examples |
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| Goal | To improve health outcomes by informing care delivery and policy decisions through research. | To generate economic or social value and make innovations widely available through commercial channels. |
