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Background. Translation of research into policy and practice, referred to as knowledge translation (KT), remains sub-optimal, which has raised concerns about the value of investments in research. Researchers are one of the many actors with a critical role in facilitating KT but what influences their KT practice is not well understood. This thesis aimed to explore this from the perspective of health research consortia; a model widely used to strengthen health research and KT capacity. Methodology. I used a case study approach. I purposively selected three diverse research consortia out of 11 from the Developing Excellence in Leadership, Training and Science (DELTAS) Africa initiative. From these three cases, I gathered data from 27 participants including 23 researchers representing different disciplines and career stages using in-depth interviews. I also reviewed relevant documents obtained from nine academic and research institutions where participants were based. A systems perspective analytical framework and the thematic framework method were used for data analysis. Results. I found that multiple interactions of factors at the micro, meso and macro levels shaped the KT capacity and practice of the health research consortia explored in this study. Research consortia KT capacity and practice and their potential to stimulate the institutionalisation of KT capacity and practice in partner institutions was greatly influenced by their research discipline, the KT capacity and experience of consortia leaders and specialist support staff and the KT support provided by funders. Research consortia developed KT plans that addressed their research discipline KT interests and that were informed by their KT capacity and experience. Funders' KT reporting requirements and their use of the reports to refine their support was crucial in motivating research consortia to pay more attention to KT. The funders' interest in certain KT activities and budget ceiling for the activities restricted research consortia KT capacity and practice in as much as it enhanced it in research consortia with narrowly focused KT capacity and experience. Conclusions and recommendations. KT capacity strengthening targeting research consortia and their researchers should consider research discipline KT needs. Research consortia funders have an important role to play in providing early and ongoing technical support to research consortia in the development and implementation of their KT plans. Research consortia funders can also harness support from research consortia with greater KT capacity and experience for peer-to-peer learning. Funders will better support research consortia KT capacity and practice if they allow a wide range of activities that accommodate different research disciplines and have budget envelopes that are more flexible. To maximise the potential for research consortia to stimulate institutionalisation of KT capacity and practice in partner institutions long-term investments by funders is crucial. Future research could focus on exploring the multilevel interactions of factors that influence research consortia KT capacity and practice identified in this study in other settings and research fields in Africa and beyond. In addition, more research is needed on how best to integrate KT modules and activities in PhD degree programmes administered through research consortia within institutional contexts that insufficiently emphasise KT. The field would also benefit from research that develops and tests KT modules and activities relevant for training and mentorship of basic researchers doing discovery research.