science
World Health Organization Marks 25 Years of Research4Life Partnership
The World Health Organization commemorates the 25th anniversary of Research4Life on July 21, 2026. The program provides researchers in low- and middle-income countries with access to scientific publications.
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The World Health Organization marked the 25th anniversary of Research4Life on July 21, 2026. The partnership began in 2001 as a three-year pilot led by WHO with six publishing partners and has since expanded to include more than 185 publishers and partner organizations. More than 12,000 institutions in over 120 countries now access over 250,000 journals, books and databases through the program.
Independent studies show the initiative increased research publishing by up to 75 percent, raised participation in international clinical trials by more than 20 percent, and lifted publication rates for women researchers by up to 30 percent in countries facing the greatest barriers.
"What began as an effort to close the knowledge gap in health has grown into a global movement for research equity," said Dr Sylvie Briand, Chief Scientist of the World Health Organization. " The anniversary is being commemorated during a Research4Life Partners Meeting hosted by WIPO.
The program operates under a 2030 Strategy and receives support from WHO, WIPO, FAO, ILO, UNEP, Cornell University, Yale University, STM and hundreds of publishing partners.
