Putting Evidence into Practice

Key Challenge: Ensuring Evidence Leads to Impact

Evidence alone does not create change. Organizations often struggle to apply research in complex, resource-constrained, and rapidly evolving environments.

We help organizations translate evidence into action through capacity building, knowledge mobilization, organizational transformation, workforce development, and systems improvement, ensuring that promising ideas become sustainable solutions. Even strong evidence can fall short if implementation is complex, capacity is stretched, or conditions change.

What Sets AIR's Approach Apart

We don’t just provide recommendations—we stay engaged. AIR works alongside partners through implementation, helping them adapt strategies, respond to changing conditions, and sustain results over time.

We do this by:

Supporting Implementation Across Systems

We help organizations bring new policies and innovations to life across agencies, institutions, and networks.

AIR is advancing early‑stage efforts to support Workforce Pell implementation, helping states and institutions translate new requirements into practice, align data systems, and design governance structures.

Through the Knowledge Translation for Employment Research (KTER), we collaborate with experts to co-develop practical resources and provide training to strengthen implementation and partner engagement.

Building Capacity and Strengthening Practices

We help partners refine how programs are designed and delivered to improve outcomes.

AIR works with countries like Costa Rica, Turkey, and Zambia to implement cash transfer programs. We strengthen design and delivery, examining factors such as transfer size, timing, and alignment with health systems.

The Strategic Funding and Finance Center strengthens the capacity of states and districts to flexibly design efficient and transparent education finance systems that serve all students.

Driving Continuous Improvement and Adaptation

We embed learning into systems so organizations can evolve and improve over time.

With the Gates Foundation, AIR leads the Intermediary Capability Assessment (ICA), a structured process that helps organizations with data collection, collaborative sensemaking, and action planning to identify strengths and gaps and evolve to better meet institutional and student needs.

Through the Comprehensive Center Network AIR teams build capacity for states to improve student outcomes through capacity building, strategic planning, continuous improvement, and knowledge translation—along with practical tools and resources that help educators make decisions and respond to evolving challenges.

Coaching and Working Alongside Practitioners

We equip practitioners with the tools, skills, and support needed to improve outcomes on the ground.

AIR partners with states to design strategic outreach for evolving Medicaid work requirements, reducing confusion, protecting coverage, and improving resource use.

The My ROAD to Employment for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities project brings together individuals with disabilities, providers, and employers to develop and test practical tools and strategies that strengthen supported employment.