The Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, Inc (RFMH) is a private, not-for-profit membership corporation organized in 1952, for the purpose of assisting and enhancing the research and training objectives of the New York State Department of Mental Hygiene and its component agencies; the Office of Mental Health (OMH), the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) and the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS).

Through an agreement with NYS, RFMH has been designated as the organization responsible for administering and directing the conduct of all sponsored research programs carried out by scientists at Department of Mental Hygiene institutes or facilities. Sponsored research activities are carried out at the central offices of the Department as well as at the Departments at the three research institutes.

RFMH provides an organizational bridge between the scientist and those wishing to support his or her work, be it the Federal Government, State Government, Individuals, Foundations or, as is frequently the case, a combination of multiple sponsors. RFMH provides the Department of Mental Hygiene and their scientists with the independence and administrative flexibility to respond quickly to the special demands of sponsored programs in a manner that facilitates their scientific or technical execution. These are needs that could not be as easily accommodated through state processes.