The IFP (1991 in Zurich) and the IRP (1996 in Geneva) were founded by private initiative of paraplegics, physicians and scientists. The purpose is the fight against paraplegia to spare future paraplegics a life in a wheelchair.

The foundations will promote and support

• medical research in the field of paraplegia
• basic and clinical research in the field of nerve growths
• research programs designed to make life easier for paraplegics
• promotion of internationsl information exchange in the field of paraplegia

Both foundations operate independently in Zurich and Geneva. The common scientific committee examines, selects and grants the most promising reasearch projects for a coordinated support. Up till 2007 the total donation account of IFP/IRP rounds up to some 20 million Swiss Francs.

The organs of the foundations are the Boards of Trustees in Zurich and Geneva and the common Scientific Committee.

Supervisory authority is the Swiss Federal Departement of the Interior, that recognizes IFP and IRP as non-profit-organizations. Donations are exempt from taxes.