The foundation is an independent medical research charity which provides operating grants to academic staff at universities, transplant centres and research institutes. The foundation supports research in organ transplantation, particularly where there is an unmet medical need. The foundation is legally independent from F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd and is guided solely by the Board of Trustees according to its charter [358 KB] .

The ROTRF is bound by its objectives to maintain and promulgate the highest ethical standards in experimentation and clinical research and to maintain the highest standards in the conduct and assessment of research.