Implementation Science for Social Work Researchers: Maximizing NIH Funding Opportunities

During the past decade, the relatively new and interdisciplinary field of implementation science has emerged and is testing new strategies to improve the adoption, implementation, and sustainment of evidence-based interventions to improve outcomes. Social work has contributed substantially to implementation science, and the field has the potential to make even further research contributions toward the future scientific direction and development of implementation science.

Since the early 2000s, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has been funding implementation science - especially in the fields of mental health, cardiovascular risk and cancer. While investigators from various disciplines have obtained NIH funding, only a modest number of social work researchers have developed the expertise or have partnered with implementation scientists to apply for and successfully receive NIH funding. This workshop seeks to encourage more social work researchers to submit applications in the field of implementation science.

The objectives of this proposed workshop are to: 1) Increase awareness and knowledge about implementation science and its relevance for social work researchers at various stages in their careers; 2) Emphasize the potential of implementation science for ongoing support for social work research and development of the profession; 3) Encourage the social work field to actively contribute to implementation science and invite participants to submit applications to the NIH; and 4) Highlight relevant NIH implementation science Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs).

This session will feature NIH program directors from various Institutes 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. 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 presented and discussed.