Knowledge Mobilization Planning

Knowledge mobilization naming conventions vary—including amongst SSHRC, CIHR and NSERC. Related terminology includes the co-production of research, demand/interest/need for your work, broader impacts, societal impact, pathway to impact, benefits, implementation science or public engagement/outreach.

More granting agencies now require a knowledge mobilization plan as part of grant applications. Your plan will depend on the size and scope of the grant and the language used by the granting agency. Whether or not a granting agency requires a KM plan, Western Research encourages the use of knowledge mobilization principles in every research plan. These principles help develop relevant research with partners and knowledge users in mind and helps plan for academic and societal impacts. Creating a plan will help identify appropriate research outputs for a compelling impact narrative, components required in any grant application.

Knowledge mobilization planning helps chart:

  • How stakeholders will be involved in the research process.
  • The form research outputs will take.
  • How to monitor engagement with research outputs.
  • How knowledge users may use the information contained within the outputs.
  • Indicators to track outcomes.
  • Proposed contributions to long-term societal, cultural, environmental, health or economic impacts.

It will likely be necessary to monitor both quantitative and qualitative data to measure the success of mobilization activities.

Knowledge Mobilization Planning Resources

Below are resources to help navigate the broad concept of knowledge mobilization. They are best reviewed sequentially.

  1. Exploring Knowledge Exchange: A Glossary to Learn More requires Western login
  2. Charting Your Pathway to Impact: Your Knowledge Exchange Plan requires Western login
  3. Reviewing a Grant Application with a Knowledge Exchange and Impact Lens: A Checklist requires Western login

These resources were aggregated and internally curated by Western Research with information compiled from:

  • A review of approximately 100 publicly available resources found on the research services, knowledge mobilization and community engagement websites from universities, colleges, hospitals, granting agencies and communities of practice across Canada, as well as information from two paid courses.
  • Practice knowledge from grant reviewers (15), knowledge mobilization specialists and research administrators within the Western community.
  • A selected review of academic literature.

The goal of these resources is to provide a straightforward and practical way to consider knowledge mobilization in your research program. These resources are not about how to prepare research outputs. Western Research recommends working with other professionals, including web developers, graphic designers, editors, AV producers, technology transfer specialists and event planners to prepare research outputs/activities for non-academic audiences.

Additional resources

Contact Us

For support related to EDI-D and Indigenous Research please fill out this form with your information and the Knowledge Mobilization, Impact, and EDI-D in Research team will assist with your request or contact Mariam Hayward directly.