The UK DRI was established in 2017 by our principal funder the Medical Research Council, in partnership with Alzheimer's Society and Alzheimer’s Research UK. Since then we have established a number of partnerships to drive the groundbreaking research taking place at the Institute, aiming to transform the lives of people affected by dementia and associated neurodegenerative conditions.
Medical Research Council, Principal Funder
The MRC led the establishment of the UK DRI, and is our principal funder.
MRC proudly supports the UK DRI and its community of researchers, technical and supporting staff who are leading efforts to unravel the mechanisms of dementia and neurodegeneration to identify groundbreaking new treatments.
Professor Patrick Chinnery,Executive Chair
Alzheimer's Society
The Alzheimer’s Society is a founding funder of the UK DRI and as a funding partner, contributes towards the UK DRI Care Research & Technology centre and the UK DRI Biomarker Factory.
We’re proud to be a founding funder of the UK DRI – its revolutionary approach continues to change the lives of people with dementia. We look forward to fostering further collaboration, bringing meaningful benefits to those affected by dementia today and offering hope for the future.
Kate Lee,CEO
Alzheimer's Research UK
Alzheimer’s Research UK is a founding funder of the UK DRI and as a funding partner, supports groundbreaking research across the UK DRI.
As a funding partner of the UK DRI, Alzheimer’s Research UK is proud to have supported groundbreaking research since 2017. The discoveries that our talented researchers are making are paving the way for life-changing treatments, helping our journey towards a cure for people living with dementia.
Hilary Evans-Newton,CEO
LifeArc
In 2022, LifeArc committed £30M in a new partnership with the UK DRI. UK DRI scientists benefit from world-leading technology transfer and translational science expertise and access to LifeArc’s therapeutic and diagnostic/antibody platforms.
We’re proud to work closely with the UK DRI in their mission to stop dementia. Their vision to discover and advance new treatments and diagnostics aligns well with our expertise in accelerating promising science into breakthroughs for those that need them most.
Dave Powell,Chief Scientific Officer
British Heart Foundation
The BHF’s partnership with UK DRI, launching the UK’s first dedicated Centre for Vascular Dementia Research, will accelerate our shared ambition to find new ways to prevent and treat vascular dementia.
We’re proud to be joining forces with UK DRI to launch the BHF-UK DRI Centre for Vascular Dementia Research, bringing together the brightest minds to drive forward pioneering research into this devastating condition. By combining our expertise and resources, the Centre will provide an international platform for world-leading collaborations that will accelerate the global search for a cure.
Dr Charmaine Griffiths,CEO
National Institute for Health and Care Research
In 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) committed £20m to the UK DRI, to accelerate the translation of new scientific discoveries into therapeutic impact for people living with dementias.
With the UK’s aging population, dementia continues to be a crucial area of research in our country and it is essential we develop strategies to diagnose early and treat this disease effectively. The UK Dementia Research Institute is a global leader in this area and I’m proud that NIHR funding is going towards world-leading research into tools and therapeutics that will make a real, tangible difference to lives.
Professor Lucy Chappell,CEO