Protect the UK's research base

Protect rosetteThe UK leads the world in medical research. 

We are also unique amongst our European counterparts because a large amount of our medical research is funded by charities - £935 million by members of the Association of Medical Research Charities in 2008/09 alone. 

Research funded by Cancer Research UK has led to significant breakthroughs and many hugely important achievements in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer.

To achieve research excellence, researchers need to be properly funded and have the freedom to conduct their research in a supportive regulatory environment.

We want the Government to:

  • Maintain support for charity-funded medical research, including the Charity Research Support Fund, which contributes to the full economic cost of charity funded research in universities.
  • Champion Government’s central role in funding the UK science base, including supporting the new world-leading UK Centre for Medical Research and Innovation.
  • Propose a method for using patients’ data which allows researchers to conduct clinical and population studies leading to patient benefits.
  • Ensure that the NHS adopts a culture which supports and welcomes research, building on our unique ability to offer comprehensive insights into health.