Table 1. Enabling Preconditions for Partnership Research .

Preconditions	Rationale	Implications for Funders	Implications for Health System	Implications for Researchers
Pre-existing researcher/KU relationships	As trust requires time to develop, established relationships facilitate team development. Many issues will have been addressed, allowing more time to focus on research plan.	- Fund opportunities for joint learning and planning - Ensure review processes assess and recognize established partnerships	‏- Develop guidelines for partnership, clarifying requirements and expectations of academic partners - Initiate contact with academics interested in partnership	‏- Begin establishing relationships with KU in areas of interest to you before initiating research - Learn about relevant organizations/programs
Project identified as priority by KUs	Research that responds to KU concerns is more likely to address priority health needs, have results used, and facilitate partnership development process.	- Ensure that proposal evaluation processes identify and recognize proposals responding to KU driven research	- Develop organizational and program priorities for research and research partnership	Clarify KU priority issues, and explore your potential contribution
Appropriate funder requirements, supports	Funding programs vary in lead time; weight given to KU partnerships; and pre-proposal support for planning.	‏- Review funding requirements to facilitate true partnership	- Explore “Planning” grant opportunities to fund initial developmental work - Ensure organizational contribution responds to identified priorities and is appropriately resourced	‏- Explore funder criteria and requirements carefully to ensure funding program supportive of partnership work - Explore “Planning” grants to fund initial developmental work
Researcher expertise in collaborative research approaches	Many researchers have little education or experience in partnership approaches. Research experience and commitment is predictive of partnership success.	- Support strategies to develop researcher skills in partnership research - Recruit experienced collaborative researchers to planning and review committees	- Be explicit about partnership expectations - Proactively identify researchers with partnership experience & approaches - Interview prospective partners about what partnership means to them	- Explore opportunities to gain experience within the health system - Explore collaborations with experienced partnership researchers - Develop skills, such as evaluation research, in researching ‘real-life’ questions

Abbreviation: KU, knowledge user.