Evolution of Embedded Implementation Research
| Date | Critical Event |
|---|---|
| 2009 | AHI funded 5 countries to do HSS using an integrated and multistakeholder approach. |
| 2009 | Experts and stakeholders convened by Norwegian Development Agency met to address challenges in achieving Millennium Development Goals and knowledge gaps. |
| 2010 | Held Inaugural Health Systems Research symposium and established Implementation Research Platform within WHO.AHI convened senior leadership meeting to share emerging lessons. |
| 2012 | Launched WHO Strategy on Health Policy and Systems Research: Changing Mindsets. |
| 2013 | Published first AHI supplement on HSS and EIR. |
| 2013 | Implementation Research Platform released first call for implementer-led research. |
| 2014 | Launched Implementation Research and Delivery Research initiative by AHPSR, World Bank, and U.S. Agency for International Development.Launched EIR initiatives in WHO Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office and PAHO. |
| 2015 | Held joint EIR call between AHPSR, UNICEF, and Gavi. |
| 2015 | AHPSR met with Doris Duke Charitable Foundation leadership to discuss AHI Phase 2.First AHI-supported PhD students in EIR graduated. |
| 2016 | Launched Strengthening Capacity for Implementation Research initiative by AHPSR. |
| 2017 | Published AHI second supplement documenting results of EIR including research capacity building success.Funded AHI 2.0 in Mozambique, Ghana, and Ethiopia including ongoing focus on EIR approach as target for strengthening health systems and ongoing research capacity building. |
| 2018 | Launched EIR call in Pakistan on immunization by AHPSR, UNICEF, and Gavi. |
| 2019 | Launched EIR call on the Sustainable Development Goals in collaboration with PAHO and WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases. |
| 2020 | EIR identified in special supplement of Health Policy and Planning on Innovations in Implementation Research as a key innovation signaling the coming-of-age of implementation research field. |
| 2020 | Launched EIR Accelerator Project in Ethiopia, Uganda, Indonesia, and Nigeria, with AHPSR supporting Gavi programs through implementation research in each of these countries. |
| 2021 | Launched Compassionate and Respectful Health Care Services Ethiopia on health workforce and health services by AHPSR, WHO Health Workforce Department, and WHO Country Office Ethiopia.AHI grantees held final meeting in Accra, Ghana. |
| 2022 | AHPSR’s MAINSTREAM initiative embedded implementation research into Gavi’s learning strategy for its new strategic plan period (Gavi 5.0) |
Abbreviations: AHI, African Health Initiative; AHPSR, Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research; EIR, embedded implementation research; HSS, health systems strengthening; PAHO, Pan American Health Organization; WHO, World Health Organization.