Translational science is a cross disciplinary scientific research that is motivated by the need for practical applications that help people. The term is used mostly in the health sciences and refers to things like the discovery of new drugs that directly help improve human health. Thus, translating bench science to bedside clinical practice or dissemination to population-based community interventions.
In the United States, the National Institutes of Health have implemented a major national initiative to leverage existing academic health center infrastructure through the Clinical and Translational Science Awards.