Research to Practice (r2p)

Purpose

The main objective is to move research into practice, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application to ensure worker safety and health.

Get involved

NIOSH welcomes partnerships with governmental and non-governmental organizations including non-profit organizations, trade associations, academic and research institutions, and the private sector. In order to accomplish our mission, NIOSH seeks to establish formal and informal relationships with partners in order to maximize resources and ensure a safer and healthier workforce.

Pathways to partnership with NIOSH include:

• Establishing a formal partnership agreement with NIOSH, such as a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement, Data Use Agreement, or Memorandum of Understanding.
• Participating on a National Occupational Research Agenda Sector Council.
• Exploring NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Programs to learn more about various funding opportunities.
• Discovering opportunities to unite private sector partners with NIOSH scientists to achieve common goals and "do more, faster" through the CDC Foundation (a private, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) public charity).
• Visiting Federal Register Notices for opportunities to provide comment on NIOSH rules, proposed rules, and information collection activities, attend meetings, and explore potential partnership opportunities.

Core Elements

There are six core elements for effective r2p:

Partnerships

A NIOSH partner is any individual, group, or organization (e.g., government, labor, academic, business, trade or professional association) whose collaborative efforts enhance NIOSH-funded research activities and help promote the movement of research into practice. Partners play key roles in activities such as:

• identifying occupational safety and health issues and needs;
• designing, planning, and conducting studies;
• translating and communicating research findings into policy, technology, practice, and/or information products;
• engaging interested, affected, or relevant parties;
• implementing and assessing recommended work policies or practices; and
• evaluating or demonstrating the impact of these efforts on improving the safety and health of workers.

Intramural Science

Intramural science is conducted by researchers employed by NIOSH. For more information on NIOSH's intramural programs, visit NIOSH Programs.

Extramural Science

Extramural science is generated through funding provided by NIOSH to outside organizations. For more information on NIOSH extramural programs, visit NIOSH Extramural Research and Training Programs.

Technology Transfer

Technology transfer is the process by which knowledge, technologies, and interventions are transferred from the Government to the public or private sector.

Communication

Communication is the process through which science is translated into information products, then shared and promoted with an intended audience. NIOSH uses communication tools and strategies to create clear messages, select appropriate formats, and determine effective channels through which the information may be delivered and understood by an intended audience.

Evaluation

Evaluation is an assessment of how well an r2p effort meets measurable objectives, milestones, or goals. Results of evaluations may inform the planning of an effort (i.e., feasibility, or need), process (i.e., tracking), progress toward outcomes and objectives, or provide a final measure of impact.

Resources

r2p Tools

NIOSH uses the r2p roadmap guidance document and worksheet developed by The Center for Construction Research and Training to plan our dissemination and help facilitate the use, adoption, and adaptation of NIOSH knowledge, interventions, and technologies.

r2p Technology Solutions

Through our research efforts, NIOSH produces new scientific knowledge and practical solutions vital to reducing risks of injury and death in occupational settings. NIOSH then seeks the assistance of commercial partners to move these solutions into practical application and adoption. This is accomplished by granting licenses to parties wishing to further develop, use or commercialize these inventions.

Licensing a NIOSH Technology

Use or commercialization of these NIOSH technologies may require a license. A license is a legal agreement which defines the terms and conditions under which a third party may make, use or sell the invention.

The licensing of NIOSH technologies is handled by the National Institutes of Health's Office of Technology Transfer (NIH OTT). NIH OTT has provided a helpful flowchart of the licensing process to explain the steps to securing a license for a NIOSH technology. Find NIOSH technologies available for licensing on the Explore NIH Technologies site and search for "NIOSH."