Table 4. Guidance for Proposal Development .

Criteria Associated with Success	Rationale	Implications for Funders	Implications for Health System	Implications for Researchers
Identification of important, researchable, feasible question	The purpose of collaborative research is to address research questions of importance to KUs. The proposal must also meet grant criteria and be feasible within the funds available.	- Support planning grants to promote collaborative development of useful questions - Include in application process request for evidence that research question is key priority for KUs (eg, letter of support from KUs) - Include in review process reviewer guidelines to assess relevance and potential impact of the project, its feasibility, and adequacy of funding requested to complete the task	- Establish KU organizational process for prioritizing research questions of relevance to health system - Develop, in collaboration with affected partners, mechanisms to reach consensus on the research question - Clarify areas of expertise (research, program) for formulating question - If questions have been determined by one or more senior decision-makers, ensure that rationale for decision is clearly communicated within the organization	- In collaboration with KU partners develop mechanisms to reach consensus on the research question - Clarify areas of expertise (research, program) for formulating question
Good project management practice	The complexity, and short time lines of many grant opportunities require efficient time management and good coordination.	- Support planning grants to enable prospective teams to develop needed infrastructure	- As a team, develop work plan with time lines and assigned responsibilities - Identify and negotiate needed organizational logistical support before beginning task	‏- As a team, develop work plan with time lines and assigned responsibilities - Consider use of development or other funds to support work best conducted from within the partner organization(s)
Support for role of identified relationship broker	Time constraints risk making this phase simply task oriented. A relationship broker is needed to flag potentially sensitive areas or misunderstandings, negotiate between diverse perspectives and competing priorities, and address roadblocks in a timely way.	- Ensure funding guidelines recognize importance of funding such individuals in KU organizations and recognize related costs as eligible expenses	- Ask for regular updates from the relationship broker to identify potential areas of difficulty, and specific areas where KUs may need assistance (eg, developing CVs) - Provide support in addressing any identified problems - Ensure relationship broker has direct access to decision- makers	- Work with relationship broker to understand KU organization(s) and cultures - Ask for regular updates on tasks to be completed by organizational members, and any difficulties encountered

Abbreviation: KU, knowledge user.