Perspective: Late-Stage (T4) Translation Research and Implementation Science: The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Strategic Vision.

In August 2016, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) released its Strategic Vision for charting a course for research over the next decade. This vision was the culmination of an unprecedented process that engaged diverse stakeholders from across the United States and around the globe. The process resulted in four mission-oriented goals and eight strategic objectives that provide an overall framework for advancing research in heart, lung, and blood diseases and sleep disorders. In this perspective, we address opportunities that NHLBI has identified to advance late-stage (T4) translation research, implementation science, health inequities research, global health research, and related research workforce development. Additionally, we highlight the importance of continued active engagement of the clinical and public health research community and the strategic, transdisciplinary, cross-sector partnerships necessary for advancing research priorities to maximize the population-level outcomes and health impact of scientific discoveries.