Introduction: Previous research has shown lack of articulation between university based research and research priorities as defined by the national health authority. Objectives: To identify explanatory factors for lack of articulation between university research activities and knowledge needs as defined by users. Design: Qualitative case study. Setting: Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM), Lima, Peru. Participants: Informants from both the university and the national health authority. Methods: The study was based in semi structured interviews to key informants, from the university and the national health authority. Main outcome measures: Lack of articulation explanatory factors. Results: Explanatory factors identified were: a) Research funding culture depending on own university limited resources, and not allowing proposed nationwide studies such as thos...