MRIGlobal History
A History of Excellence
About MRIGlobal
For more than 80 years, MRIGlobal’s research and engineering contributions have been advancing knowledge and improving our world.
MRIGlobal’s focus is translating new technologies that support better health outcomes for humans, animals, and our environment. We apply our diverse and cutting-edge technical capabilities and expertise to provide smart, collaborative solutions that solve our customers’ precise needs. We deliver global technology-based research in national security and defense, energy and environment, life and animal sciences, agriculture and food safety, and transportation.
Our Beginning
MRIGlobal was founded as the not-for-profit Midwest Research Institute in 1943 by Kansas City area business leaders to support industry, provide jobs, and advance scientific knowledge. This visionary and community-minded cadre of leaders determined that a research facility could help the region find ways to retain workers whose jobs were vanishing due to farm mechanization and the loss of the military manufacturing industry.
MRIGlobal’s story is marked by steady expansion of increasing scope and complexity. Today the organization’s impact spans the globe, performing contract scientific and engineering research for government and industry.
Learn more about key highlights in our history – download our history timeline brochure.
Our Vision
To be a leader in providing health and safety solutions within the reach of everyone.
Our MISSION
To improve the lives of people through innovative scientific and engineering research.
Our Values
These five values drive our culture and company forward.
Our PEOPLE
We value unique backgrounds and perspectives in every aspect of our mission.
As an organization dedicated to scientific advancement, MRIGlobal invites and embraces diversity in our people. We value their unique backgrounds and perspectives in every aspect of our mission. We are committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where everyone feels respected and represented; fostering a culture where everyone’s input is heard. We adapt to change, challenge the status quo, and evolve through belonging, allyship, and support of everyone.
MRIGlobal is an independent organization performing contract research for government and industry.
We work with government agencies, commercial businesses, and academic institutions every year to help further unbiased research and innovative development.