Our impact

Our research helps turn discoveries into new or improved treatments, diagnostics, medical technologies and services.

It provides those working in the NHS, public health and social care with the evidence they need to better support patients, carers and the public.

NIHR Impact Prizes

Be recognised for your research which has improved people's lives.

NIHR Outcomes Framework

Explore the commitments guiding us as we seek to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. Our outcomes framework is a statement of our intended outcomes and a tool for tracking and learning from our progress.

Making a difference

Our making a difference stories show how our research is improving health and care. They are the stories of our research.
View all our stories

Stories

Low-cost blood drug saves thousands of trauma patients’ lives

Results from the NIHR-funded CRASH-2 trial of tranexamic acid to control trauma bleeding have led to a worldwide change in practice and continues to drive wider use.

Stories

Hospital at home scheme supports older people in the community

NIHR-funded research confirmed that caring for a select group of older, frail patients in their homes - rather than admitting them to hospital - can deliver better and less expensive care.

Stories

Identifying mental illness among new and expectant mums

As a recipient of an NIHR Research Professorship award, Professor Louise Howard’s research influenced national policies and increased government funding for perinatal mental health services.

Impact of our research

In the last 10 years, our researchers have reported more than 6,500 instances where their research has influenced health and care policy. Our impact timelines show examples of NIHR research playing a key role to improve treatments and care.

Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine

Explore the timeline of our research to help develop the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and its impact.

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy prevents depression relapse

This timeline shows how our research into using mindfulness-based cognitive therapy to treat depression has influenced policy.

High-sensitivity blood test rapidly identifies heart attacks

This timeline shows how research has helped to develop a test to better detect heart attacks.

Our impact vision and programme

Our impact vision

We have set out a 5 year impact vision of how we will better understand, learn and improve how NIHR activities collectively contribute to making a difference.

Impact Advisory Board

View members of Impact Advisory Board