Implementation science is a field of research that addresses challenges at the intersection of public health research and practice. It aims to understand the factors that influence the successful implementation of proven interventions in a real-world setting, and can involve testing different implementation or intervention approaches to achieve impact. Implementation science often involves direct engagement with local constituencies and beneficiaries, for instance, communities and local levels of government, so that proposed services, interventions, and implementation approaches are designed to be responsive to beneficiaries’ needs.

Implementation science was central to FANTA’s mandate to help improve nutrition programming by translating research and experience into evidence-based program guidance and practice. FANTA conducted implementation science in a number of countries, including Bangladesh, Burundi, Guatemala, Madagascar, Malawi, Namibia, and Zambia.

Some examples of FANTA’s implementation science work included the following.