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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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

Access the NIHR Outcomes Framework

Making a difference stories

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

View all making a difference stories.

Our impact vision and programme

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

Explore our impact vision.

Our Impact Programme has been working to deliver our impact vision since 2018.

View members of our NIHR Impact Advisory Board.