🟥Partnering Beyond Academia: The Role of NGOs and Government
- Dr. Edmund Ukwuru
- Jul 16
- 2 min read
You don’t need to commercialize your research alone. In fact, you shouldn’t. NGOs and government agencies are powerful partners in moving research from paper to people. They offer scale, infrastructure, and access to communities. If you want your findings to make a difference, it's time to shift your focus beyond academia—and seek partnerships that drive public good.
🟢 The Problem
Most academic researchers work in isolation. Even when they uncover significant insights, their networks seldom extend beyond campus. Meanwhile, government programs and NGOs are in constant pursuit of evidence-based solutions—but they often lack the knowledge of where to find them.
This disconnect creates unnecessary duplication, waste, and missed opportunities for impact. For instance, reports indicate that over 60% of public health agencies unknowingly fund pilot projects that researchers have already developed solutions for. Likewise, NGOs frequently implement ineffective programs, simply because they are unaware of any proven alternatives. Meanwhile, research findings gather dust in academic journals.
The world needs more than just new knowledge—it needs effective connections between evidence and real-world execution.
🟣 The Possibility
Real-world impact occurs when research reaches beyond academia.
Take Dr. Chandrakant Lahariya, whose influential policy research on universal immunization in India led to nationwide vaccine rollouts through direct partnerships with health ministries. This work not only contributed to a 20% increase in vaccination rates in remote areas but also improved overall public health outcomes. Similarly, Dr. Jane Githinji, a Kenyan microbiologist, partnered with NGOs to co-create a hygiene campaign using her research on antimicrobial resistance. This initiative has now been adopted in over 200 schools, reaching thousands of students and vastly improving hygiene practices.
By joining forces with NGOs and public institutions, these researchers didn’t just publish their findings; they effectively scaled them.
Think like Tesla. Act like Edison—with partners who can bring your knowledge into the streets, clinics, farms, and classrooms.
🔵 The Solution
At the Translational Research Forum, we empower you to build these crucial bridges.
Join sessions such as:
🤝 “NGOs + Academia: From Evidence to Action”
📢 “Policy Translation for Government Uptake”
🧭 “Who to Partner With, and How to Start”
You’ll learn:
How to identify aligned NGOs or agencies
How to co-create research agendas with public-sector partners
How to present evidence in ways decision-makers understand
How to turn pilot studies into public programs
Government and NGO partners bring the scale, structure, and legitimacy your research needs to make lasting impact.
These workshops and discussions will provide you with the tools and connections necessary to turn your research into actionable solutions. By engaging with NGOs and government agencies, you significantly enhance your research's relevance and reach, making sure your findings contribute positively to society.
🟤 Call to Action
Your research deserves to reach real people—not just reviewers.
👉 Register now for the Translational Research Forum and discover how partnerships with government and NGOs can transform your work from important to impactful.
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