The Medical Research Foundation is the charitable foundation of the Medical Research Council. With support from the scientific and medical communities and the public, the foundation funds high-quality medical research that improves human health and changes people’s lives.
The foundation is a purely research-led organisation, meaning all its efforts are centred around funding scientists and research. This allows them to focus solely on finding and funding research that has the potential to change lives now, or may become important in the future.
Research funded by the foundation
While the foundation has access to the best scientific advice through its connection with the Medical Research Council, support from the public allows the charity to remain independent, and to fund whatever is deemed the most important medical research questions of the time.
As the foundation isn’t allied to any specific disease, condition or research institution, research priorities can remain flexible and respond to emerging health needs.
Between 2019 and 2024 the Medical Research Foundation is investing £25 million in ground-breaking research, focusing on:
- pain research
- adolescent and early adulthood mental health, particularly self-harm and eating disorders
- child and adolescent health, including skin disorders and eye diseases
- the impact of climate change on health
- health research capacity building in Africa.
To find out more about the ground-breaking medical research the foundation has funded over the years, and the life-changing difference it has made for people with a wide range of diseases and conditions, read the impact report Celebrating 100 years of life-changing medical research.
Get involved
There are many ways you can get involved to help the Medical Research Foundation fund medical research that will change people’s lives, from skydives and treks, to runs of every duration. Find out more about ways to get involved.
Make a donation to the Medical Research Foundation.
Contact the foundation
Email: contact@medicalresearchfoundation.org.uk
Telephone: 0207 395 2400
You can also follow the foundation on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Last updated: 9 February 2023