Table 2 Results of the study

Push factors/supply side

1. ZonMw funding to build an infrastructure for knowledge production (coordinator, steering committee, contractual agreement, working groups)

1. Perceived pressure of university to publish in high impact journals

2. University’s role in the production of context-sensitive evidence

2. University’s requirement for PhD projects

3. Professorships by special appointment

3. Difficulty to find external grants for policy-initiated or practice-based research

4. Tacit knowledge among citizens is being valued more by researchers

4. Unwillingness of Public Health Service (PHS) directors to really advocate ACC

5. Post-academic education

6. Grants for PhD research projects

7. Packaging of evidence-based actionable messages in Dutch

Pull factors Demand side

1. Short-term policy-driven research projects

1. Limited budget availability for infrastructure, especially for coordinator

2. Local Alderman for Public Health acting as ACC champion

2. Limited involvement of local government

3. Publications in public friendly Dutch journals

3. Low demand for scientific evidence by policymakers

Exchange factors

Interactive communication and indispensable linking-pin function with passionate attitude of coordinator

Limited influence of coordinator on decision-making process of local authorities and PHS directors