Funding transparency policy
Every publication states who paid for it. This policy explains how we disclose funding, the conditions we accept, and why no funder controls our findings.
This policy is effective from 12 May 2026. It applies to all of our research, however it is funded — grants, philanthropy, membership, commissioned work or our own reserves — and underpins our research independence.
Disclosure in every publication
Each publication carries a funding statement naming the organisations that supported the work and the nature of that support. Where a study was funded from general income rather than a specific grant, we say so. The statement appears with the publication itself, not only in an annual summary.
Independence is a condition of funding
We accept funding only on terms that preserve our editorial control. In practice this means:
- funders do not choose our conclusions, and cannot require changes to findings, analysis or recommendations;
- funders do not have a right of veto over publication;
- research questions and methods are set by our researchers, not by the funder;
- a funder may review a draft for factual accuracy where that is helpful, but review is advisory and does not extend to conclusions.
Funding we will not accept
We decline funding where the terms would compromise our independence, where the source cannot be adequately identified, or where accepting it would create a conflict we could not manage. We also decline arrangements that tie payment to a particular result.
Restricted and unrestricted funding
Unrestricted funding supports our programme as a whole. Restricted funding supports a defined piece of work, on the independence terms above. In both cases the relationship is documented, and any restriction is disclosed alongside the resulting research.
The funding register
We maintain a register of research funding and summarise it in our annual reports, alongside a full account of income and expenditure. This lets readers see, in one place, who supports our work.
Commissioned market research
Commissioned market research is a separate activity, governed by our commercial research policy. It does not buy influence over our published research, and the two are kept distinct.
Questions
If you have a question about how a particular study was funded, or about this policy, contact us at enquiries@internationalresearchinstitute.org or through our contact page.