There is widespread belief that meaningful interaction between scientists and practitioners, or co-production, increases use of scientific knowledge about sustainability and environmental change. Although funders are increasingly encouraging co-production, there have been few empirical studies assessing the outcomes of these efforts in shaping knowledge use. In this study, we systematically analyze research project reports (n = 120) and interview project participants (n = 40) funded by the U.S. National Estuarine Research Reserve System from 1998 to 2014 to support coastal management. Our analysis shows that escalating funding requirements for collaboration with users change research practice and strengthen connections between research outcomes and knowledge use. In consequence, a new model for science funding emerges, where sponsor, researcher, and user are more interactive with one another.

人们普遍认为，科学家与实践者之间的有意义的互动或共同生产，会增加对可持续性和环境变化的科学知识的使用。尽管资助者越来越多地鼓励共同生产，但是很少有实证研究来评估这些努力在塑造知识使用方面的成果。在这项研究中，我们系统地分析了研究项目报告（n  = 120），并采访了项目参与者（n = 40）由美国国家河口研究储备系统于1998年至2014年资助，以支持沿海地区的管理。我们的分析表明，与用户合作不断增长的资金需求会改变研究实践，并加强研究成果与知识使用之间的联系。结果，出现了一种新的科学资助模式，在这种模式下，赞助者，研究者和用户之间更加互动。