Who we are

The NIHR was established in 2006 to "create a health research system in which the NHS supports outstanding individuals, working in world-class facilities, conducting leading-edge research focused on the needs of patients and the public". 

Since that time, we have transformed research in and for the NHS and helped to shape the health and social care research landscape more broadly. 

Working in partnership with the NHS, universities, local government, other research funders, patients and the public, we fund, enable and deliver world-leading health and social care research that improves people's health and wellbeing and promotes economic growth.

We are funded by the Department of Health and Social Care. Our work focuses on early translational research, clinical research and applied health and social care research.

We are centred on England but collaborate closely with the devolved administrations in  Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. We are also a major funder of applied health research in low and middle income countries, work that is principally funded through UK aid from the UK government.