The Mercy Maternity Hospital Research Foundation was established in 1981 by Professor Norman Beischer to enable the funding of clinically based medical research, principally conducted by persons associated with the University of Melbourne, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology then located at the Mercy Maternity Hospital in East Melbourne.

In 1997, the name of the Foundation was changed to the Medical Research Foundation for Women and Babies to reflect its broader aim to support clinically based medical research conducted in Victoria into women’s and babies’ health issues, with particular focus on obstetric, gynaecological and paediatric conditions.

The Foundation supports clinical research by Medical Practitioners, Nurses, midwives, and/or Scientists engaged in the investigation of diseases and conditions which affect women and/or babies.

In 2015, after the death of Professor Beischer, the name of the Foundation was changed to the Norman Beischer Medical Research Foundation in recognition of Professor Beischer’s lifelong contribution to and participation in medical research.

The Norman Beischer Medical Research Foundation supports and promotes improvements in the reproductive health of women and in the health of their babies and infants.

It actively supports research into obstetrics and the prevention, control and treatment of gynaecological diseases and related problems. It funds clinical and scientific research by leading and emerging researchers and uses this research to educate and inform medical practice in Australia and elsewhere.