2010

• Member research expenditure exceeds £1 billion
• Leads UKCRC project on public awareness of use of patient data for research

2009

• 120 members, research expenditure: £935 million
• Publishes Natural Ground, report on paths to patient and public involvement in research activities
• Launches recession action plan work to help members though economic downturn

2008

• 114 members; research expenditure: £826 million
• Starfish, a play about ethics of clinical trials AMRC partnership with Y Touring theatre company
• Modernises governance to reflect changing member needs
• Celebrates 21st anniversary with publication of A very public benefit

2007

• 113 members; research expenditure: £791 million
• AMRC turnover: £500,000
• Chair: Baroness Cumberlege
• Publishes From Donation to Innovation, an analysis of members’ research spending
• Publishes An Essential Partnership, guidelines for working with industry
• Nobody Lives Forever, a play about stem cell research, AMRC partnership with Y Touring theatre company

2006

• First year of implementation for CRSF
• Adopts Strategic Plan for 2007-12: Support, Leadership and Influence

2005

• Inaugural meeting of All Party Parliamentary Group on Medical Research
• Every Breath, AMRC collaborates with Y Touring theatre company on award winning play about the ethics of animals in medical research

2004

• The Handbook becomes an online directory
• Government announces the Charity Research Support Fund (CRSF) to underpin the costs of charity-funded research of universities
• Becomes member of the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) Board

2002

•  Chair: Dame Bridget Ogilvie, FRS

2000

•  110 members; research expenditure: £540 million

1999

• Chair: Major General Leslie Busk CB; Director General, British Heart Foundation

1997

• 101 members; research expenditure: £410 million
• Merges with the Research for Health Charities Group (RHCG). The need for research using animals becomes a central issue
• Inaugural AMRC Science Communication Awards – identifying and celebrating excellence in science communication among medical research charities

1996

• Launches grants database
• AMRC online: www.amrc.org.uk

1995

• 87 members; research expenditure: £360 million
• 1995 Chair: Fergus Logan; Executive Director, Muscular Dystrophy Group; subsequently Chief Executive, Arthritis Research Campaign
• Introduces peer review audit of membership. Audit conducted on a five-year cycle: 1995, 2000, 2005

1991

• Chair: Major General Leslie Busk CB; Director General, British Heart Foundation

1990

• Issues first statement on use of human embryos and stem cell research in response to Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990

1988

• 42 members; research expenditure: £137 million

1987

• Established as a formal umbrella body with charity registration
• Chair: Major-General Alastair W Dennis CB OBE; Secretary, Imperial Cancer Research Fund

1979

• 26 members; research expenditure: £25 million
• Produces Handbook, a guide to funding available from each member

1972

• Founded as a meeting of chief executives of major medical research charities to discuss ‘mutual problems and hear visiting speakers’