Central to the research and innovation design agenda of the Foundation is the practice of Knowledge Transformation and Action (KT&A). To have an impact, knowledge must be actively shared and put into action, providing an active and effective knowledge exchange process across key communities of practice.

Too often, knowledge exchange and knowledge transfer have been seen as primarily technical processes: vast knowledge banks and sophisticated computer-based search and retrieval systems. While technology is an important tool supporting the knowledge exchange process, knowledge transformation is equally a social process among people.

To be used effectively within an innovation-focused environment, knowledge needs to be backed by social trust: those seeking to apply knowledge to new and unique situations want to know that it comes from a credible source, that it is being shared freely and collaboratively (i.e., nothing is hidden or held back), and that the knowledge can be adapted to new purposes.

The KT&A program of the Foundation adds value to the knowledge creation and sharing process by ensuring that relevant knowledge reaches those who can best make use of it. Creating value around particular elements of knowledge means ensuring that it is transformed into a usable form for a particular audience: that it has relevance, is credible, and can be put to use in a timely manner to address real-world needs.

The knowledge transformation process leverages the contributions of a wide global network of researchers, applied subject analysts, and leadership professionals.