Briefings on issues affecting medical research. 

Health and social care bill 
Briefing on research-focused amendments (PDF, October 2011) Lord’s committee stage
 
Embedding research into the health system (PDF, October 2011) Briefing on research and innovation issues for second reading debate in the House of Lords 
 
Building research into the health system (PDF, August 2011) - Briefing proposes how research can be embedded and supported throughout the NHS and public health systems 

Research issues briefing (PDF, February 2011 ) - Key issues for medical research raised by the planned changes to the NHS.

Academy of Medical Sciences 2011, A new pathway for the regulation and governance of health research
This briefing sets out the background to the Academy’s report and its main findings. It outlines what will happen next and indicates the key issues for charity funders of medical research in the UK.

Charity Research Support Fund
A brief Q&A on CRSF produced for parliamentarians. AMRC work with the funding councils, universities and key policy makers in ensuring that the purpose of the fund and the position of charities is well understood.

Clinical research
Focus on current developments to promote clinical research in the UK, such as the UK Clinical Research Collaboration, with examples of the various types of clinical research that member charities support.

Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill
Information on the areas of the Bill relating to research and of concern to medical research charities. This Parliamentary briefing on the need for research involving human and human admixed embryos was prepared by the Academy of Medical Sciences, the Medical Research Council, the Royal Society and the Wellcome Trust, and supported by AMRC.

Immigration cap
The government's plan to cap non-EU economic immigration to the UK has raised concerns across the research community as a lot of international researchers come from outside the EU to work in the UK. A short briefing paper explains the potential impacts on science in the UK.

Intellectual property rights
An introduction to intellectual property rights for AMRC member charities with clarification of AMRC guidance and policies already in existence.

Nanotechnology
An explanation of what AMRC member charities need to be aware of and the potential for this new technology to impact on medical research.

NHS white paper 2010, Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS
This briefing sets out AMRC’s position and key concerns with regard to the proposed reforms and their impact on medical and health research. It’s main intent is to assist and guide our members in responding to the white paper.

Open access publishing
An explanation of the background to this development which provides a means to access research papers on the internet without having to pay a charge to see the article.  The current situation in the UK and links to other sources of information.

Peer review
How do medical research charities decide which research to fund?

Pharmacogenetics
An overview of the emerging field of pharmacogenetics in relation to biomedical research and grant making charities.

Postgraduate studentships
An overview of the funding mechanisms currently employed by members, including information on stipend rates and examples of good practice, such as the provision of additional training and funding four year studentships.

Public benefit reporting
A brief Q&A on the requirement from April 2008 for reporting public benefit in trustees' annual reports.

Web-based grant application systems
Update on the use of web based systems by AMRC member charities and other funders.

Women in science
The need to attract and retain women in scientific careers is an issue for all funders of research.  Suggestions to ensure that medical research charities are aware of what they may be able to do to help women in science.

Updated: October 2010