TMGL > Research4Life collection

Research4Life collection

Overview about the Research4Life Partnership

Since 2012, Research4Life has offered more than 11,000 institutions in over 125 lower-income countries free or low-cost access to more than 200,000 peer-reviewed journals, books, and databases, supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals by reducing inequalities and expanding opportunities. Its multilingual platform provides extensive online resources along with training support through the Authors and Librarians Hubs, the Virtual Master Trainer Course, webinars, and partner-developed learning programs. Institutions also receive assistance to support access and stay informed about available content and services.

The initiative comprises a broad partnership that includes over 200 publishers and the STM association, five UN agency program coordinators, university partners such as Cornell and Yale, and technical and training organizations like ITOCA, ProQuest, PortSys, and the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Its user community of champions, advocates and connectors helps amplify the programme’s impact. Publicly-funded, non-profit institutions in most low- and middle-income countries are eligible to register, with details and exceptions listed on the Research4Life website. Questions regarding eligibility or technical requirements can be directed to the Research4Life helpdesk at r4l@research4life.org.

Bringing TMGL to Research4Life

The WHO Traditional Medicine Global Library makes available a specialized collection through the Research4Life content portal (https://portal.research4life.org/). This curated collection brings together over 60 peer-reviewed titles dedicated to Traditional, Complementary and Integrative Medicine (TCIM), covering scientific literature from 1933 to 2025.

The collection enhances global access to research on medicinal plants, Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), acupuncture, ethnomedicine, homeopathy, natural products, mind–body therapies, and integrative clinical practice. Titles include leading international journals as well as regionally significant publications from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe.

Through Research4Life, TMGL amplifies its mission to advance equitable access, strengthen research capacity, and support evidence-informed policy and practice in traditional medicine worldwide. The partnership strengthens a shared vision: building an inclusive, globally representative infrastructure for traditional medicine knowledge. This collaboration enables countries and communities to access, share, and preserve scientific and Indigenous knowledge in a manner that supports health systems, protects cultural heritage, and promotes ethical innovation.

TMGL serves as a bridge between formal scientific research and community-rooted knowledge systems. Through its partnership with Research4Life, the platform advances a safer, more equitable and culturally respectful ecosystem for traditional medicine, aligned with global norms and WHO’s long-term strategy.

Key Features of the integrated collection

Comprehensive Coverage:

Global Representation

Journals produced by:

Thematic Areas:

Benefits for TMGL users

For Researchers & Students:

For Policymakers & Regulators:

For Practitioners & Health Institutions:

Through Research4Life, eligible public and non-profit institutions in low- and middle-income countries gain free or low-cost access to these materials.

 Collection Characteristics

Representative Titles

These titles represent a broad landscape of traditional medical knowledge systems – spanning pharmacognosy, ethnomedicine, clinical integrative practice, and regionally rooted healing traditions.