Major boost for health research funding announced

The Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced unparalleled increases in health research funding to the NIHR and MRC as part of the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review. The funding will enable the NIHR and MRC, working together with OSCHR (Office for Strategic Coordination of Health Research), to deliver the vision for health research set out in the Cooksey Report - more effective translation of health research into health and economic benefits in the UK.

Sally Davies, Director General of R&D at the Department of Health, said:
"This is a pivotal moment for health research in this country. The Government has announced two unprecedented developments:

• the largest ever increase (over £290 million) in Government funding for health research; and
• ring-fenced funding (almost £1 billion) for the National Institute for Health Research through the Department of Health.

This demonstrates the Government's continued commitment to health research and its recognition of the central importance of this research to our country.

The additional funding, and the fact that it is clearly ring-fenced as part of the CSR settlement, will ensure that together the NIHR and the MRC are able to sustain our excellent basic science and ensure that it is translated into increased benefits for patients."

The additional NIHR funding will support areas identified in the Cooksey Report including: evaluation and trials, public health, the research capability of the National Programme for IT, and human capital.