What we do

Collaborative research that involves a diverse range of people from different fields of interest is key to progress in health science – and to achieving our aim of fostering a healthier, happier, world. 

But many researchers feel they lack the time, finances, and creative environments they need to make breakthroughs.  

That’s why we’re committed to funding ambitious global research projects that will transform our understanding of life, health, and wellbeing.

Plus, we’re taking on the biggest health challenges facing humanity – climate and health, infectious disease, and mental health – to find urgent solutions and accelerate preventions.  

We’re spending £16 billion by 2032 on projects across a range of academic disciplines – including physical and social sciences, and the humanities – to ensure researchers have what they need to be ambitious, creative, and make new discoveries.

As a global charitable foundation, we want researchers worldwide to engage with us, partner with us, and apply for funding for pioneering projects that will help to solve the most pressing health challenges facing humanity. 

We use the evidence from research we fund to persuade policy makers – as well as commercial, charitable, and non-governmental organisations around the world – to keep human health at the heart of key decisions.

Health research should be open to anyone with a great idea, so we’re actively working to remove barriers people may face, and to support a diverse and inclusive research environment. 

We also make it easier and more equitable for data scientists globally to innovate with health data. 

We want researchers worldwide to apply for funding for pioneering projects that will help to solve the most pressing health challenges facing humanity. Activities we have supported include: