About us

Our story

We’ve been helping to fund medical research for more than a century. Improving human health and changing lives is a research topic that will go on forever.

The Medical Research Foundation, established as an independent charity in 2011, evolved from the Medical Research Council's (MRC) century-long history of public support and donations.

The Foundation focuses exclusively on funding vital medical research in underfunded areas, giving hope to people with overlooked health conditions.

We are proud of our history and immensely thankful for all donations, old and new, that enable us to change lives.

History

The MRC, founded in 1913, has a rich history of public support, with donations dating back to as early as 1919. This support was formalised with a royal charter in 1920, allowing the MRC to receive funds from both the government and the public – often through gifts left in wills. From 1968, this income was formally registered with the Charity Commission.

In 2006, Dr Angela Hind was tasked with modernising these charitable funds to create a new, modern charity. This meant appointing an independent board of trustees, creating our own research award mechanisms, and legally separating from the MRC, to form the organisation we know today as the Medical Research Foundation, in 2011.

We are proud of our history and immensely thankful for all donations, old and new, that enable us to change lives.

Historical notes from the MRC showing early research schemes

An independent and flexible charity

Angela – now our Chief Executive – leads a dedicated team which is committed to ensuring we use our donations responsibly and make the biggest possible impact on human health.

Unlike many other funding bodies, we are not restricted to providing support for a particular disease or condition, or a particular research institution. We can respond to the emerging health needs of the nation and the wider world, and the research priorities and opportunities identified by scientific experts and our donors.

Although the Foundation operates independently and can respond flexibly to the needs of the research community, we retain our unique connection with the MRC and benefit from its expertise and heritage.

Front cover of our publication 'Celebrating 100 years of life-changing medical research'

Investing in the future of human health

We’re incredibly proud of the research we have funded over the years. But to improve health for everyone, much more needs to be done.

While a small number of major illnesses will remain at the very top of the research funding agenda, there are many health conditions which won’t get the attention they deserve. Millions of people, who desperately need better solutions for their health challenges, will continue to fall through the cracks.

We will use our unique position to respond to these challenges. That’s why we are aiming to invest £50 million in life-changing medical research between 2019-2029.