Clinical Research Glossary

funder (research) funder (research)

CDISC

A person or group that provides money and other resources to do a research study.

Example of funder (research) in a sentence

The funder provides money and resources for the research but is not involved in the study conduct.

More Info

There are many different types of funders, such as:
– Sponsors, like pharmaceutical companies that can be both the sponsor and funder for a research study.
– Government agencies that give research grants.
– Foundations and organizations interested in studies that are important to them and their patient communities.
– Non-profit organizations, like the Gates Foundation.
– Individuals, like philanthropists, who give or raise money to cover the costs of specific research.

Funders could provide the money necessary to run a research study but they can also provide other things like the study treatment, comparators, the placebo, or other resources necessary to run a research study.

The funder is not ultimately responsible for the study conduct; it is the sponsor and the principal investigator who are ultimately responsible.

Other info to think about when joining a study

You might see the term “funder” in a consent form or protocol about a study, and also on clinical trial recruitment websites.

You can feel free to ask the study team who or what organization is funding the study.

Version 4.0 September 2026

Was this information easy to understand?

Yes
No
Thanks for your feedback!