The concepts underlying OCHRC were developed as a result of several meetings convened by the Global Forum for Health Research, starting with a movement from research groups in Forum 3 (the annual international conference convened by the Global Forum for Health Research in 1999)aiming to improve child health and nutrition through appropriately targeted research and to strengthen and formalize the interactions between researchers on child health, child nutrition and child development.

In February 2000, a meeting of interested parties led to the identification of research and analytical priorities. Following initial funding from The World Bank in 2001, issues of governance and strategic planning were addressed, and projects were initiated as commissioned research/analyses and competitive research grants.

A Board selected for their expertise in international public health and medical research governs OCHRC; Dr Robert Black, Johns Hopkins University, currently serves as Chair of the Board. Tthe management of the Initiative is carried out by a Secretariat located at ICDDR,B: Center for Health and Population Research in Bangladesh.