This document discusses different perspectives on how research for development (R4D) funders define and approach their work. It notes that over time, funders have shifted from defining R4D as responding to developing country needs through knowledge and research capacity building, to focusing more on funding policy-relevant research to support development goals and priorities. The document suggests funders position themselves as adaptive organizations that identify priority research areas through programs and patterns, in order to best achieve their desired outcomes, while being responsive to their performance regime and context.