The Medical Research Foundation invests directly in medical research – donations to the Foundation are never spent on campaigning, advocacy, or support services.

As the charitable foundation of the Medical Research Council (MRC), we have access to some of the best medical knowledge in the world. That, along with careful governance, ensures we make an impact where it is needed most and that we use donations responsibly.

Unlike most health charities, we do not have to provide support for a particular disease or condition, or a particular research institution. We are free to choose our own research priorities, so are responsive and flexible in the way we allocate funding.

We identify research priorities according to gaps in understanding, or specific donor priorities. At the moment our research priorities are adolescent mental health, including eating disorders and self-harm, skin disorders, pain and drug-resistant infections.

We fund and support the most promising new medical research, wherever we discover great opportunities that are not being pursued.