Explore how translational research, research translation, and implementation science work together to transform health care.
Translational research is the process of creating and progressing scientific discoveries from fundamental research to practical applications. In health research, this process might start with discoveries that are made through basic sciences research, for example, using cells or animal models, which are subsequently developed and tested in human applications with the aim of improving health outcomes. Translational research follows a continuum with key phases, commonly referred to as T0 to T4, where phases T0-T2 translate basic science into human studies, while T3 and T4 translate new data into clinical practice and health decision-making.
Above adapted from: Blumberg, R., Dittel, B., Hafler, D. et al. Unravelling the autoimmune translational research process layer by layer. Nat Med 18, 35–41 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nm.2632
This structured approach ensures that innovations are not only scientifically sound but also practical, safe and beneficial for patients and communities.
While translational research focuses on moving science along a pipeline of discovery and new evidence, research translation addresses the challenge of ensuring research findings are implemented “in the real world”. In health research, this means helping policymakers, health service leaders and staff, and the wider community use research findings to improve health policy, health care services and peoples’ health outcomes.
Research Translation is often associated with the T3-T4 phases of the translational research continuum and is sometimes referred to as:
The National Health and Medical Research Strategy 2026-2036 defines research translation as:
The process of moving research findings into practical application in real-world settings and making research findings accessible and usable to practitioners, policymakers and the public to inform decision making and improved health outcomes.
Even with research breakthroughs, far too many of them never make it into everyday care. On average, it takes 17 years for a scientific discovery to shift from the lab to the bedside. But with the right support and systems in place, we may be able to close that gap and bring life-changing innovations to patients sooner.
Key questions for identifying the challenges for research include:
Implementation science is the field that studies how to promote the uptake of evidence-based practices in real-world care settings. It goes beyond ‘what works’ to ask how and why certain interventions are adopted, adapted, or resisted.
It aims to:
In short, implementation science aims to bridge the gap between knowing and doing. It plays a vital role in enabling research translation, especially when scaling innovations across health systems.
Sydney Health Partners is one of several NHMRC-accredited Research Translation Centres in Australia. These centres aim to:
‘Encourage excellent health research and translation by bringing together researchers, healthcare providers, education and training to improve the health and well-being of patients and the populations they serve’.
Through our programs and strategic priorities, we support both research translation and translational research, while also advancing implementation science to ensure that scientific discoveries lead to real-world health improvements.
At Sydney Health Partners, our Clinical Academic Group (CAG) Program aims to drive research translation and implementation at scale across the partnership.
The CAGs are diverse, multidisciplinary teams of clinicians, researchers, and often consumers. Each group focuses on a specific clinical or service priority ranging from mental health to cancer to genomic medicine.
Their projects often fall within the T2-T4 phases of translational research and frequently incorporate implementation science principles. CAGs are uniquely positioned to identify local health needs, test solutions, and embed proven interventions into daily practice across healthcare settings.
Managed and coordinated by Sydney Health Partners, the CAG Program provides funding, organisational support, and in-kind services to foster collaboration and capability-building. It supports development opportunities, facilitates networking, and streamlines essential processes for real-world impact.
As one of Australia’s NHMRC-accredited Research Translation Centres, Sydney Health Partners plays a leading role in integrating research with clinical practice. Through initiatives like our CAG Program, Research Enabling Program, and Implementation Science Academy, we embed a commitment to turning great ideas into better health outcomes for all.
Explore our Knowledge Hub to help improve your translational research and implement your findings at scale. Learn how to translate evidence into practice with Introduction to Implementation Science: a free, five-step Knowledge Pathway from Sydney Health Partners Implementation Science Academy.
In under 40 minutes, you’ll explore key frameworks, study designs, and outcome measures that shape effective implementation. Designed by leading experts, this self-paced online course helps clinicians, researchers, and health leaders build the skills to move discoveries into everyday care.
Research Impact Academy. Demystifying research translation. Accessed 9 March 2020: https://researchimpactacademy.com/blog/demystifying-research-translation/
World Health Organization (WHO). Knowledge translation. Accessed 9 March 2020: https://www.who.int/ageing/health-systems/knowledge-translation/en/
Blumberg RS, Dittel B, Hafler D, von Herrath M, Nestle FO, 2012. Unravelling the autoimmune translational research process layer by layer. Nat Med; 18(1): 35–41. doi:10.1038/nm.2632
Rabin BA, 2017. Terminology for Dissemination and Implementation Research. In: RC Brownson, GA Colditz, EK Proctor (Eds), Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health: Translating Science to Practice. Oxford Scholarship Online, https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780190683214.001.0001
Vukotich CJ Jr, 2016. Challenges of T3 and T4 translational research. Journal of Research Practice; 12(2): P2.6.. NHMRC. Recognised Health Research and Translation Centres. Accessed 9 March 2020: https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/research-policy/research-translation/recognised-health-research-and-translation-centres
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