This paper examines the conditions that must be maintained for university-based research output to be effectively deployed to advance socio-economic development. It uses the university-government and university-industry linkages a conceptual framework and situates therein the ideal contexts that the researcher would take into account for the research output to have impact on policy making. Citing an example from the University of Dar es Salaam, a related challenge is pointed out of developing multi-disciplinary research agenda on problems which require multi-dimensional interventions.