The Pirbright Institute is a world leading centre of excellence in research and surveillance of virus diseases of farm animals and viruses that spread from animals to humans. Working to enhance capability to contain, control and eliminate these economically and medically important diseases, the Institute's highly innovative fundamental and applied bioscience contributes to global food security and health, improving quality of life for animals and people.

The Pirbright Institute is a publicly funded private company.  They have a diverse range of major stakeholders, and receive strategic funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) which is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Their major stakeholders are:

• Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)
• UK Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
• Wellcome Trust, Medical Research Council (MRC) and other research funding agencies
• International funding and disease control agencies, such as OIE, WHO, the European Commission, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
• Industrial producers of veterinary vaccines and antivirals
• Farmers and livestock keepers

The Institute employs around 350 staff, research students and visiting scientists, and has recently moved to one campus in Pirbright, Surrey, where investment by BBSRC has resulted in a redevelopment of the site and the construction of a high level containment facility – the BBSRC National Virology Centre: The Plowright Building and a SAPO level two facility, The Jenner Building.