N e a r ly 1 0 ye a r s s i n c e PA H O implemented its policy on research for health, countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have progressed, but improvements are still needed in health research governance.• Greater coordination among all government entities overseeing health research quality is needed in countries across the region.• The lack of adequate funding aligned with national research priorities remains a limiting factor for many national health research systems.• Substantial gaps in research skills and capacity remain across the region.