The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. The NIHR funds health and care research and translates discoveries into practical products, treatments, devices and procedures, involving patients and the public in all of its work.

As the most integrated clinical research system in the world, it drives research from bench to bedside for the benefit of patients and the economy. The NIHR:

• funds high quality research to improve health;
• trains and supports health researchers;
• provides world-class research facilities;
• works with the life sciences industry and charities to benefit all; and
• involves patients and the public at every step.

The NIHR addresses its vision and mission under six broad themes and embraces all health and care therapeutic areas:

1. Funding research to improve the health of patients, the public and overall health and care services;
2. Translating discoveries into breakthrough, practical products, treatments, devices, procedures and interventions for clinicians and other users of research evidence;
3. Training and developing researchers to keep the nation at the forefront of international research;
4. Working with the life sciences industry to help patients gain earlier access to breakthrough treatments and to encourage broader investment in, and economic growth from, health research;
5. Ensuring the NHS is able to support all research funders, such as the life sciences industry, charities and public funders, to benefit patients, the public and the health and care system; and
6. Involving patients and the public across all our work and enabling patient participation in research.