Lessons from the uBoraBora portfolio and discussing systemic barriers to integrating research into implementation

• In Event: The Case for Locally-driven Implementation Research and the Shift It Demands from Funders

Proposal

However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results." - Winston Churchill.

At uBoraBora, we believe that continuous learning throughout the implementation of education programs is crucial to ensuring they remain effective, adaptable, and responsive to changing local contexts. Regular learning allows for timely adjustments, addressing unforeseen challenges, and optimizing interventions as they scale. This iterative process ensures that programs not only achieve their intended outcomes but also evolve in response to real-world conditions, maximizing long-term impact and sustainability. As a result, funders who prioritize implementation research are better positioned to ensure their programs are effective, scalable, and sustainable.

Last April, uBoraBora was launched, offering six grants, each valued at $75,000. We were overwhelmed with 365 applications, not only from small, grassroots organizations, but also from established players with multi-million-dollar budgets. This raises an important question: why would organizations with vast resources be drawn to a grant with a comparatively modest sum?

To answer this, we will explore the uBoraBora portfolio and discuss the systemic barriers to integrating research into implementation. We'll also share insights from our portfolio of FLN (Foundational Literacy and Numeracy) grantees across Sub-Saharan Africa, where we support organizations in using implementation research to: adapt their programs to new contexts, gain efficiencies as they scale, and embed their work into government systems.
These insights help us understand how funders can remove barriers to implementation research by rethinking traditional grant structures and offering more flexible funding that reflects the complex realities of on-the-ground work. By supporting not only the outcomes but also the process, funders can empower grantees to achieve lasting, scalable impact.

Author

• Lea Simpson, Brink