About Us

Health Research Charities Ireland (HRCI), previously known as the Medical Research Charities Group (MRCG), is the national umbrella organisation of charities active in medical and health research, together representing over 1 million Irish patients. Through support and advocacy, we represent the joint interests of our members, working to improve health and prevent illness through research.

We also run the Irish Health Research Forum, bringing together all stakeholders to improve health research in Ireland.

We believe that every patient should have the opportunity to participate in health research and that every healthcare professional should be supported in its undertaking.

Our members are significant funders and contributors to the research landscape in Ireland. Charity spend on the HRCI/HRB Joint Funding Scheme spend is a small proportion of the overall charity outlay on research. As well as outlay on other research projects and schemes, members also make significant contributions to capacity building and facilitate the translation of new learnings from the lab to the clinic.

Our Vision

Improved lives through a united community of health research charities.

Our Mission

We will achieve our vision through leading a vibrant, impactful and patient-led network of Irish health research charities.

Our Values

• We are always guided in our actions by the needs of our member organisations and Irish patients.
• We are ambitious in our goals which we achieve through strong leadership.
• We are inclusive, transparent and act with integrity in all our dealings.
• We are collaborative in our approach and use our resources wisely.

Health Research Charities Ireland is funded through membership fees and levies, the Pobal Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO), and the Health Research Board.

A Brief History of HRCI (the MRCG)