The UK Foundation for AIDS Research (UKfAR) was established in Aug 2009 to meet the needs of people living with HIV in the UK, especially as they age. UKfAR is a member led charity that actively involves those living with HIV in order that they can influence research that is most relevant to them.
Objective
“The advancement of education, for the public benefit, through supporting and funding research into preserving the health and improving the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS, and to publish and disseminate the useful results thereof.”
Why UKfAR?
Although there are numerous excellent HIV charities in the UK nearly all concentrate on support, HIV prevention, policy or providing information. Unlike the USA or Canada there are few UK based charities that are raising funds to support medical research into improving the health and quality of life of those living with HIV in the UK[1] . Furthermore there are no specific HIV charities that actively seek to involve those living with HIV in order that they can influence research that is most relevant to them.
Research is continuing into new drug treatments, possible vaccines and potential cures. Comparatively little research however is focussed on how to improve the lives of those living with HIV and on existing therapies. UKfAR raises funds to support research that could improve the health and quality of life of those living with HIV.
Research will be guided by people living with HIV. Though the foundation’s grants will be made available only for robust science-based research, people living with HIV will take the lead in deciding the areas of investigation, bringing their experience, concerns and objectives to bear. Additionally all members of UKfAR can suggest areas of research, participate in discussions with Investigators and other medical personnel, and will have the right to vote for those areas of research which are considered most important to them.
UKfAR will not duplicate the work of existing research programmes, or the organisations or agencies behind them. Instead it will augment and complement that vital research, helping HIV-positive people determine what additional interventions might work for them. It will also help fund areas of research that have previously been overlooked or which require seed funding.
UKfAR consists of:
[1] There is the HIV Research Trust which supports medical research in resource poor countries.
