 The Canadian Institutes for Health Research Health System Impact, HSI, Fellowship Initiative seeks to modernize the health system by embedding researchers between academic and non-academic settings. This provides an opportunity to bridge the gap between those producing knowledge and those using it, thus creating an increased interest in the potential of embedded researchers to address service challenges. The NIHR Knowledge Mobilization Research Fellowship, KMRF, Scheme shares similar goals and outlines the similarities and differences between the two programs. Operationalizing these roles requires specific characteristics, skills, and organizational arrangements. This article was authored by Joe Rycroft Malone and Joe Langley.