Background: Collaborations between community health and academic partners hold promise for improving community health through research.
Objectives: To develop, implement, and evaluate a partnership to build capacity for community-based research.
Methods: Development of the partnership was based on a participatory model that aimed to nurture strong infrastructure, clear communication, and trust between partners. Research training was individualized to assessed needs. Methods of evaluation included online surveys of partnership members comparing years 1 and 2 and appreciative inquiry (AI) interviews in year 3.Results and Lessons Learned: Course corrections from year 1 responses were implemented, and reflected in improvements on the second survey. Interviews highlighted mutual benefits of infrastructure developed in partnership; threats to sustainability were identified. Lessons learned included the importance of early course correction based on feedback, opportunities for communication, and building trust and a shared language.
Conclusions: Partnerships develop through commitment and trust. Routine assessments and course correction may enable productive research partnerships.