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  • Summary
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Summary

UK medical research charity sector data

AMRC member charities collectively spent £1.3bn on medical and health research in the UK in 2018, accounting for 41% of all publicly-funded medical research in the UK. AMRC calculates this figure from the detailed research spend and grants portfolio data collected annually from all member charities.

Research spending by health departments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland not included. Source: AMRC research expenditure database 2018, excluding capital expenditure; Medical Research Council and National Institute of Health Research annual reports 2017-18.

This valuable pool of data is used to convey the footprint of the sector to the public and policy-makers. Aggregated data is presented throughout the year in reports and infographics to demonstrate the value of the sector. For example, AMRC spotlight reports highlight the work that medical research charities are doing in certain areas, like cancer, mental health, and more.

Data FAQs

What is the AMRC research expenditure database?

Each year, our members report their spending in the previous financial year across four domains:

  1. Research in the UK
  2. Overseas research
  3. Capital projects (including building and equipment over £50K)
  4. Other charitable activities (eg welfare, support, care, education and information)

What is the AMRC research portfolio database?

Each year, our members report their spending on individual grants they have awarded, identifying the institutions holding awards, types of grants and types of research. This data does not include all funding on capital projects, but does include information on awards to non-UK institutions.  

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