Since we began in 1991, we have funded research into many types of inborn condition. Our relevant, clinically and ethically approved research investigates the causes, prevention and treatment of these conditions.
Our research portfolio is diverse, covering a wide variety of projects. We provide “start up” short term grants, as well as longer term project funding. We are not restricted to researching one particular symptom or condition.

All inborn conditions share a commonality – that they occur in the womb. Many conditions share common symptoms. Thus, research on a particular symptom may impact on many different syndromes or conditions. For example, many conditions share mental handicap as a symptom. Despite their individual names, that symptom in all those conditions occurred in utero. Therefore if we can understand mental handicap causes in utero, we not only bring understanding to one condition, but hundreds.

We want research to be used. It should be shared, and acted upon. We therefore offer all grant holders the opportunity to apply for dissemination grants, so that they can spread the knowledge they have learned with other doctors, researchers and specialists.

Our research has already had numerous successes, including new genes being identified which cause birth defects, enabling new diagnostic techniques and research to be developed, leading to improvements in treatment and giving an improved quality of life for those affected.

A innovatory step forward is our BSc course, held at St George’s Hospital Medical School. We also fund PhD Fellowships, enabling research started on the BSc course to continue and develop.