Advancing medical research through international partnerships
01 Oct 2025
Professor Lucy Chappell, Chief Executive of the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), highlights the importance of working across borders to drive innovation and improve patient outcomes.
Research with real-world impact
The NIHR, as the research arm of the UK Department of Health and Social Care, focuses on research that has meaningful impact on patients and communities. By co-creating and supporting research with international partners, the NIHR addresses strategic health priorities, from prevention and early diagnosis to new treatments. Professor Chappell notes that for every £1 invested, the NIHR generates £13 in benefits through better health outcomes and savings to the NHS.
Health and care research
The NIHR supports a skilled workforce, advanced infrastructure, and partnerships across government, academia, industry, and healthcare systems. International collaboration is central to advancing research in low- and middle-income countries and tackling shared global challenges, including health security, climate change, and ageing populations.
Partnering with Australia
The UK has strengthened research ties with Australia in recent years. In October 2024, the NIHR partnered with the Medical Research Future Fund and the National Health and Medical Research Council on a joint funding call to address serious health conditions with limited treatment options. Professor Chappell highlights that these partnerships drive innovation, improve lives, and enable researchers to collaborate across borders on critical health issues, including maternity and neonatal care.
Opportunities and challenges
International research faces challenges, including competing priorities, inequities, and complexities in lower-resource settings. Success depends on infrastructure, skilled workforce, and agile funding systems. Professor Chappell emphasises that pooling expertise and resources globally accelerates innovation and ensures technologies are deployed safely and equitably.
Looking ahead
Professor Chappell sees global health research becoming increasingly collaborative and innovative. She encourages researchers to embrace international partnerships, despite logistical and regulatory challenges, as the benefits—both scientific and personal—are significant. Such collaboration is key to improving patient outcomes and advancing health worldwide.
Source: NHMRC / NIHR
