 This article proposes three strategies for making sure research is timely, relevant and responsive to the needs and context of healthcare organizations. Firstly, it suggests using rapid research approaches such as rapid reviews, rapid evidence synthesis and rapid diagnostics. Secondly, it recommends integrating scoping stages into all studies, which will help identify the most important questions and ensure that the study is focused on the right issues. Finally, it encourages the development of collaborative relationships between researchers and healthcare professionals, so that research is more responsive to the needs of the organization. This article was authored by Cecilia Vendrolopadros.