Risky science: Why connecting research to application matters

When focusing on putting out scientific papers, there are considerations that can set up research for success in implementation, such as:

• Formally aligning research priorities with end-user priorities in research planning to strengthen relevance.
• Capitalizing on insight from personal and professional connections built with end-users, science communicators, and boundary organizations.
• Use of multiple ways of scoping and framing research topics to broaden potential impact.
• Inclusion of communication, engagement, implementation, and knowledge exchange activities in research proposals.
• Cover how scientific results can be used when drafting manuscripts in a specific and detailed way by including a thorough discussion, an example of implementation, a case study demonstrating use, or mentioning what next steps might lead to impact.