Table 7 Participant suggestions for implementation research funders

Include the requirement to plan for sustainability in program announcements: This was described as similar to the announcements from the Centre of Disease Control and Prevention. Current NIH announcements include language about studying sustainability but not about planning.

Request for proposals (RFP) could include sustainability requirements: Applicants should be required to list sustainability outcome measures (e.g., sustainability 6 months post implementation).

Offer a supplement OR non-competitive renewal specifically for sustainability: This could include parameters such as the requirement to use funds only for evaluation or testing of lean, internally resourced strategies for sustainability.

Deliver funding in phases so that there is funding specifically allocated for sustainability efforts: This ensures that there is money for sustainability and full funding is not received until it is clear that the program has the potential capacity to be sustained.

Include the requirement to engage stakeholders and demonstrate the need for this program/intervention in the relevant setting: Applicants must describe to what extent the work is a priority for the context and to what extent the relevant stakeholders have been involved in the planning and evaluation process.