Purpose of the Fund

The purpose of the Fund is to provide grants for clinical, hypothesis-driven research that offers substantial promise for meaningful advances in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of children's diseases, particularly research that offers broad-based applications.

Beginning with a generous donation from Mr. E.W. “Al” Thrasher, the Fund was established over 40 years ago to improve children’s health by supporting medical research. The Fund is now recognized globally by the medical community for supporting research that makes a difference in the lives of children.

The Fund is currently supporting over 150 projects, including but not limited to research on childhood blindness, nutritional deficiencies, brain injuries, diabetes, asthma, cancer, genetic diseases and a number of infections including HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, schistosomiasis, cytomegalovirus and otitis media.

Interested researchers may contact one of the Fund's Research Managers​ to discuss how specific research ideas might fit within the Fund's current interests.