Introduction to Implementation Science and NIH Funding Opportunities for Social Work Researchers

Implementation science is an emergent scientific discipline focused on understanding and accelerating the use of research findings into everyday practice settings in order to improve outcomes. For more than a decade, NIH has been funding implementation science – especially in the fields of mental health, cancer and substance abuse. Social work has contributed significantly to implementation science, and is poised to make even further substantial research contributions toward the future scientific direction and development of the field.

The overall objectives of this proposed workshop are to: 1) Increase awareness about implementation science and its relevance for social work researchers at various stages in their careers, 2) Emphasize its potential for ongoing support for social work research and development of the profession, and 3) Encourage the social work field to actively contribute to implementation science and invite participants to submit applications to the NIH.

This session will feature NIH program directors who oversee dissemination and implementation research portfolios and will discuss concepts and research opportunities for implementation science. Participants will gain knowledge of implementation science methodologies that can be incorporated into future research projects. Presenters will share a general orientation to implementation science in health care and public health, and NIH funding opportunities for such research. Current research priorities and relevant information regarding successfully funded research grants in the area of implementation science that are pertinent to social work will be discussed.