BIRD sponsors research in different ways, for example through funding specific projects in its own building, the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD) or the University of Bath, or through providing facilities for research programmes in its building when funding is available elsewhere. The following research areas are currently being supported in association with BIRD:
- Autoimmunity and Genetics Group
- Clinical measurement and Imaging
- Centre for Pain Research
- Rheumatoid Arthritis
- SMART (Spondyloarthropathy methodology research therapeutics programme)