**1. Introduction**

"The operational research training I received from TDR and its partners has been invaluable as it has enabled me to transfer the skills I acquired while conducting research on Ebola to my current work on COVID-19"—Dr James Squire, Ministry of Health, Sierra Leone.

These words coming from a front-line doctor who led the 2014/2015 Ebola outbreak response at its epicenter in Kailahun district in Sierra Leone merit reflection. Dr Squire is now leading the Ministry of Health's efforts to enhance surveillance systems that generate real-time, high-quality and disaggregated data for tackling Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Encouragingly, he is applying the research skills he gained through the Structured Operational Research and Training InitiaTive (SORT IT) to his current work on COVID-19, but how exactly are these skills being applied? Such information would help inform the wider gains of investing in research training.

SORT IT is a global partnership-based initiative led by TDR, The Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, and implemented with various partners including ministries of health, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and academic institutions [1]. It supports countries to build operational research capacity for strengthening health care delivery systems, improving programme performance and promoting public health [1,2]. The model is unique in that it targets front-line health workers and other programme staff, embraces "on the job" learning and simultaneously combines research training with research implementation [3].

In line with a WHO call that "all nations should be producers and consumers of research and research capacity be strengthened close to the supply of and demand for health services" [4], SORT IT has trained participants from 93 countries [5]. With 70% of research studies influencing policy and practice, SORT IT examines what works or does not work in real-world settings and introduces solutions to improve health care [6].

In the light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the link between this training programme and its role in strengthening health system resilience to respond to pandemics merits examination. We therefore assessed (1) whether SORT IT alumni are contributing to the COVID-19 pandemic response and if so, (2) map where and how they are applying their SORT IT skills.
