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Research

Research into medicine and dentistry is fundamental to the long-term development of knowledge and understanding of the subjects. Medical and dental research is funded by HEFCE through its core funding of universities using a formula-based approach (QR funding or quality related research). The QR funding is intended to support the research infrastructure - salaries, premises, libraries and central computing facilities. More information about HEFCE research funding is available.

Specific research programmes and projects are funded through the Medical Research Council (MRC), the Department of Health and research charities such as the Wellcome Trust and Cancer Research UK. The Department of Health also supports hospital research costs through its 'support for science' stream (formerly SIFT-R).

Details of the Department of Health's R&D strategy 'Best research for best health' are available.

A review of funding for health research was led by Sir David Cooksey on behalf of the Treasury in 2006. It set out to make recommendations to ensure that publicly funded health research is carried out in the most effective way. The report's findings and recommendations were published in December 2006 and accepted by the Chancellor in his pre-budget report.

HEFCE and the Department of Health are jointly funding Clinical Senior Lectureship Awards to develop high-quality capacity and secure long-term sustainability in research and teaching. Clinical academic staff are doctors and dentists who carry out research at the highest level, playing a vital role in developing the treatments of tomorrow as well as teaching medical students and treating patients.

The Clinical Senior Lectureship Awards are supported by the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) which is a partnership of organisations working to establish the UK as a world leader in clinical research. The UKCRC brings together the key organisations and groups that shape the clinical research environment in the UK. This includes the main funding bodies, universities and colleges, the NHS regulatory bodies, bioscience and pharmaceutical industries, and patients.

Last updated 28 February 2007