Practical Tips for Establishing Partnerships With Academic Researchers: A Resource Guide for Community-Based Organizations

BACKGROUND: Research exists on strategies for successful conduct of community-based participatory research (CBPR). Unfortunately, few published resources are available to advise community-based organizations (CBOs) on preparation for and engagement in CBPR. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to create a resource for CBOs that describes how an organization can prepare for and participate in CBPR. METHODS: We used a case study approach of one CBO with a decade-long history of collaboration with academic researchers. We identified lessons learned through a retrospective review of organizational records and the documentation of experiences by CBO leadership and research partners. The findings were then labeled according to CBPR Partnership Readiness Model dimensions. LESSONS LEARNED: The review of CBO documents and key informant interviews yielded ten practical tips to increase organizational readiness for and engagement in CBPR. CONCLUSIONS: By understanding the best practices for organizational readiness for and participation in CPBR, CBOs will be better equipped to actively participate in community-academic partnerships.