Published: July 2026

This infographic outlines key facts and figures about our members and the research they fund. To facilitate the sharing of these stats, you can view and download the individual graphics. Download a PDF version or view the infographic below (please make sure you've accepted cookies).

For further information on AMRC charities' research expenditure in 2025 take a look at our report.

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Data notes

All figures from AMRC annual data collection 2026, unless stated otherwise. 

• Top cause to donate to in the UK from UK Giving Report 2026 (Charities Aid Foundation).

AMRC charities are a major funder of UK medical research 

• £2.1 billion: £2,154,222,362 in collective UK research spend, based on members' expenditure in their last financial year; £1,637,760,000, taken from page 38 of NIHR annual report 2024/25; £890,169,000 taken from table 43 of the UKRI annual report and Accounts 2024-25. 
• 147: Number of current AMRC member charities, as of 25 May 2026.

Supporting the research workforce

• 27,912: Number of researchers whose salaries were funded in partial or full by AMRC charities.
• 7,765 early career researchers: Defined here as either up to 7 years FTE post-PhD completion or a non-PhD career route.
• 1,110: Number of research posts in the NHS that were funded by AMRC member charities. An eligible NHS research post is any NHS employee or person working within the NHS that research funding covered their salary partially or in full.

Investing in research in universities and the NHS 

• 72%: The percentage of AMRC member grants that started in the UK in 2025, where the host institution was a university. 
• 56%: The percentage of the AMRC member grants that started in the UK in 2025, where the host institution was a university outside of the golden triangle. The golden triangle comprises the following institutions: the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University College London (UCL), the London School of Economics (LSE), and King's College London.
• 26%: Percentage of non-commercial research studies supported by the NIHR Clinical Research Network that were funded by AMRC member charities between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026. Data provided by the NIHR Clinical Research Network Open Data Platform. Annual data cut 25 April 2026.
• 1,127: Number of clinical research studies or trials funded by AMRC member charities between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026. Data provided by the NIHR Clinical Research Network Open Data Platform. Annual data cut 25 April 2026.
• 193,853: Number of patients recruited in the UK to take part in clinical research studies or trials funded by AMRC member charities between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026. Data provided by the NIHR Clinical Research Network Open Data Platform. Annual data cut 25 April 2026. 

Funding high quality research and impactful research 

• Analysis of impact case studies in 2021 REF: The Research Excellence Framework (REF) is a national exercise where universities highlight their best examples of impact. Research on this dataset was carried out by Martin Szomszor for AMRC. Research supported by charities was identified from funding acknowledgements in academic articles reported as underpinning research in case study submissions.

Investing across all stages of research and in every health area

• Stages of research:
  • 107 fund discovery/basic research (defined as research that generates new knowledge and insights about human physiology in health and disease).
  • 114 fund translational research (defined as research focused on turning discoveries into health interventions).
  • 113 fund clinical research (defined as research that is focused on improving health and care, often happens within the NHS, and may be a clinical trial).
  • 57 fund accelerating access (defined as research or activities to facilitate the adoption of new innovations)