In 1942, the Medical Research Foundation (MRF) was founded by a group of Portland area businessmen and physicians for the purpose of stimulating medical research achievement in the state of Oregon. That first year, the program awarded $200.

The vision of Drs. Eugene W. Rockey, Warren C. Hunter, and Adalbert G. Bettman was to “promote, encourage, and aid scientific investigation and research in the state.” Since then, thousands of Oregon researchers have launched their careers with MRF support.

Today, through philanthropic support, the program awards more than $1 million per year to support exceptional research projects throughout Oregon and to acknowledge the work of outstanding investigators and mentors.