The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and is the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and health-related research.[1] It comprises 27 separate institutes and centers (ICs) that carry out its mission in different areas of biomedical research. It also includes the Office of the Director, which sets policies and coordinates activities of the 27 ICs.[2]
| Name | Acronym | Description | [3] | Budget (mil)[4] [5] | URL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Cancer Institute | NCI | Research and training aimed to eliminate the suffering and death due to cancer. | 1937 | $5,081.8 | www.cancer.gov | |
| National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases | NIAID | Research goals include striving to understand, treat, and ultimately prevent infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases. The NIAID-funded Influenza Genome Sequencing Project is a collaborative effort designed to increase the genome knowledge base of influenza and help researchers understand how flu viruses evolve, spread and cause disease.[6] | 1948 | $4,512.9 | www.niaid.nih.gov | |
| National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research | NIDCR | Provides leadership for a national research program designed to understand, treat, and ultimately prevent infectious and inherited craniofacial-oral-dental diseases and disorders. | 1948 | $404.8 | nidcr.nih.gov | |
| NIDDK | Conducts and supports research and provides leadership for a national program in diabetes, endocrinology, and metabolic diseases, digestive diseases and nutrition, and kidney, urologic, and hematologic diseases. | 1950 | $1,771.4 | www.niddk.nih.gov | ||
| National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute | NHLBI | Provides leadership for a national program in diseases of the heart, blood vessels, lung, and blood; blood resources; and sleep disorders. Also has administrative responsibility for the NIH Women's Health Initiative. | 1948 | $3,035.1 | www.nhlbi.nih.gov | |
| National Institute of Mental Health | NIMH | Understanding, treatment, and prevention of mental illnesses through basic research on the brain and behavior, and through clinical, epidemiological, and services research. | 1949 | $1,512.4 | nimh.nih.gov | |
| National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke | NINDS | Supports and conducts research, both basic and clinical, on the normal and diseased nervous system, fosters the training of investigators in the basic and clinical neurosciences, and seeks better understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of neurological disorders. | 1950 | $1,656.3 | ninds.nih.gov | |
| National Library of Medicine | NLM | NLM collects, organizes, and makes available biomedical science information to investigators, educators, and practitioners and carries out programs designed to strengthen medical library services in the United States. The NLM established the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) which is a central repository of biological information and includes the PubMed literature database and the gene database GenBank. The NCBI is one of the largest components of the NLM. | 1956 | $341.1 | www.nlm.nih.gov | |
| National Institute of Child Health and Human Development | NICHD | NICHD researches fertility, pregnancy, growth, development, and medical rehabilitation for the promotion of all aspects of child health. | 1962 | $1,305.6 | www.nichd.nih.gov | |
| National Institute of General Medical Sciences | NIGMS | NIGMS supports basic biomedical research not targeted to specific diseases, funds studies on genes, proteins, and cells, supports research training programs that produce the next generation of biomedical scientists, has special programs to encourage underrepresented minorities to pursue biomedical research careers. | 1962 | $2,439.4 | nigms.nih.gov | |
| National Eye Institute | NEI | Conducts and supports research that helps prevent and treat eye diseases and other disorders of vision. | 1968 | $698.1 | nei.nih.gov | |
| National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences | NIEHS | Research on how environmental exposures, genetic susceptibility, and age interact to affect an individual's health. | 1969 | $675.8 | niehs.nih.gov | |
| National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism | NIAAA | NIAAA research is focused on improving the treatment and prevention of alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. | 1970 | $456.0 | niaaa.nih.gov | |
| National Institute on Drug Abuse | NIDA | NIDA supports and conducts research on drug abuse and addiction prevention, treatment, and policy. | 1974 | $1,050.9 | nida.nih.gov | |
| National Institute on Aging | NIA | NIA undertakes research on the biomedical, social, and behavioral aspects of the aging process, prevention of age-related diseases and disabilities, promotion of better quality of life for all older Americans. | 1974 | $1,518.4 | nia.nih.gov | |
| National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases | NIAMS | NIAMS supports research into causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases, the training of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this research, and the dissemination of information on research progress in these diseases. | 1986 | $528.1 | niams.nih.gov | |
| National Institute of Nursing Research | NINR | NINR supports clinical and basic research to establish a scientific basis for the care of individuals across the life span. | 1986 | $142.7 | www.ninr.nih.gov | |
| National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders | NIDCD | Conducts and supports biomedical research and research training on normal mechanisms as well as diseases and disorders of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language. | 1988 | $412.4 | www.nidcd.nih.gov | |
| National Human Genome Research Institute | NHGRI | Supports the NIH component of the Human Genome Project. NHGRI's Intramural Research Program develops and implements technology for understanding, diagnosing, and treating genetic diseases. | 1989 | $505.6 | www.genome.gov | |
| National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering | NIBIB | Promotes fundamental discoveries, design and development, and translation and assessment of technological capabilities in biomedical imaging and bioengineering, enabled by relevant areas of information science, physics, chemistry, mathematics, materials science, and computer sciences. | 2000 | $338.4 | www.nibib.nih.gov | |
| National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities | NIMHD | Promotes minority health, conducts and supports research, training, research infrastructure, fosters emerging programs, disseminates information, and reaches out to minority and other health disparity communities. | 1993 | $272.5 | nimhd.nih.gov |
In addition to being divided by research area, NIH has many operating groups called centers operating across all of the Institutes.
| Name | Acronym | Description | Budget (mil) | URL | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Center for Scientific Review | CSR | The CSR is the focal point at NIH for the conduct of initial peer review of grant and fellowship applications, implements ways to conduct referral and review. | 1946 | $BUDGET | www.csr.nih.gov | |
| Clinical Center | CC | The clinical research facility of the National Institutes of Health; provides patient care, services, and environment needed to initiate and support conduct of and training in clinical research. | 1953 | $BUDGET | www.cc.nih.gov | |
| National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences | NCATS | NCATS aims to catalyze the generation of innovative methods and technologies that will enhance the development, testing and implementation of diagnostics and therapeutics across a wide range of human diseases and conditions. | 2011 | $643.1 | ncats.nih.gov | |
| Center for Information Technology | CIT | The CIT incorporates computers into the biomedical programs and administrative procedures of the NIH by conducting computational biosciences research, developing computer systems, and providing computer facilities. | 1964 | $BUDGET | cit.nih.gov | |
| John E. Fogarty International Center | FIC | FIC promotes and supports scientific research and training internationally to reduce disparities in global health. | 1968 | $68.6 | www.fic.nih.gov | |
| National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health | NCCIH | NCCIH explores complementary and alternative medical practices in the context of rigorous science, training researchers, and disseminating authoritative information. | 1999 | $127.6 | nccih.nih.gov | |
| National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research | NCMRR | NCMRR fosters development of scientific knowledge needed to enhance the health, productivity, independence, and quality-of-life of people with physical disabilities. | 1991 | $BUDGET | nichd.nih.gov/ncmrr | |
| National Center for Research Resources | NCRR | NCRR provided funding to laboratory scientists and researchers for facilities and tools in the goal of curing and treating diseases. | 1990 (extinct 2011) | www.ncrr.nih.gov |
The Office of the Director is the central office at NIH. The OD is responsible for setting policy for NIH and for planning, managing, and coordinating the programs and activities of all the NIH components. Program offices in the Office of the Director are responsible for stimulating specific areas of research throughout NIH and for planning and supporting research and related activities. Current program areas are: minority health, women's health, AIDS research, disease prevention, and behavioral and social sciences research.[7] In July 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Dr. Francis S. Collins, M.D., PhD, to be the Director of the NIH. On August 7, 2009, the US Senate confirmed Collins by a unanimous vote.
Program offices within the Office of the Director fund research through the institutes:
| Full name | Acronym | RoleRes | URL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives | DPCPSI | plans and implements trans-NIH initiatives supported by the NIH Common Fund and coordinates research related to AIDS, behavioral and social sciences, women's health, disease prevention, and research infrastructure. DPCPSI was formally established within the Office of the Director as part of implementing the requirements of the NIH Reform Act of 2006.[8] | ||
| Office of Extramural Research | OER | provides guidance to institutes in research and training programs conducted through extramural programs (that is, grant, contract, or cooperative agreement programs).[9] | ||
| Office of Intramural Research | OIR | coordinates research conducted directly by NIH personnel through intramural programs. | ||
| Office of Management | OM | responsible for management and financial functions of the NIH.[10] | ||
| Office of Administration | OA | advises the NIH Director and staff on administration and management; develops and implements policies, and provides oversight in the areas of information resources management, management assessment, grant administration and contract management, procurement, and logistics | ||
| Office of AIDS Research | OAR | formulates scientific policy for, and recommends allocation of research resources for AIDS research at NIH. OAR is housed within DPCPSI.[11] | ||
| Office of Biotechnology Activities | OBA | "monitors scientific progress in human genetics research in order to anticipate future developments, including ethical, legal, and social concerns, in basic and clinical research involving Recombinant DNA, Genetic Technologies, and Xenotransplantation"[12] | ||
| Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research | OBSSR | advises the NIH Director and other key officials on matters relating to research on the role of human behavior in the development of health, prevention of disease, and therapeutic intervention. OBSSR is housed within the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI), Office of the Director (OD), National Institutes of Health (NIH). | ||
| Office of Communications and Public Liaison | OCPL | advises the Director and communicates information about NIH policies, programs, and research results to the general public[13] | ||
| Office of Community Liaison | OCL | advises the Director, plans, directs and oversees activities to promote collaboration between NIH and its community, and ensures effective communication on policy and programs involving the community | ||
| Office of Dietary Supplements | ODS | ODS is housed within DPCPSI. "The mission of ODS is to strengthen knowledge and understanding of dietary supplements by evaluating scientific information, stimulating and supporting research, disseminating research results, and educating the public to foster an enhanced quality of life and health for the U.S. population." ODS was created in 1995 as authorized by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 (DSHEA).[14] | ||
| Office of Disease Prevention | ODP | coordinates NIH activities regarding the application of research to disease prevention, nutrition and medical practice. The ODP is housed within the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI), Office of the Director (OD), National Institutes of Health (NIH). | ||
| Office of Intramural Training and Education | OITE | provides a comprehensive guide to postdoctoral training opportunities available at the NIH | ||
| Office of Evaluation, Performance, and Reporting | OEPR | provides resources and coordination to better capture, communicate, and enhance the value of NIH research through strategic planning, performance monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. OEPR is housed within DPCPSI | ||
| Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion | EDI | advises the Director and NIH staff on matters related to equal employment opportunity programs and policies. | ||
| Office of Financial Management | OFM | advises the NIH Director and staff and provides leadership and direction for NIH financial management activities; develops policies and instructions for budget preparation and presentation and administers allocation of funds and manages a system of fund and budgetary controls. | ||
| Office of Human Resources | OHR | advises the NIH Director and staff on human resource management; directs central human resource management services; and provides NIH leadership and planning on human resource program development. | ||
| Office of Legislative Policy and Analysis | OLPA | provides legislative analysis, policy development, and liaison with the United States Congress.[15] | ||
| Office of Portfolio Analysis | OPA | OPA is an interdisciplinary team that impacts NIH-supported research by enabling NIH decision makers and research administrators to evaluate and prioritize current and emerging areas of research that will advance NIH's mission. OPA is housed within DPCPSI. | ||
| Office of Research Infrastructure Programs | ORIP | advances the NIH mission by supporting research infrastructure and research-related resource programs. OAR is housed within DPCPSI. | ||
| Office of Research on Women's Health | ORWH | serves as a focal point for women's health research at the NIH. The ORWH promotes, stimulates, and supports efforts to improve the health of women through biomedical and behavioral research. ORWH works in partnership with the NIH institutes and centers to ensure that women's health research is part of the scientific framework at NIH and throughout the scientific community. This office is housed within the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI), Office of the Director (OD), National Institutes of Health (NIH). | ||
| Office of Strategic Coordination | OSC | oversees the NIH Common Fund. OSC is housed within the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI), Office of the Director (OD), National Institutes of Health (NIH). All NIH Institutes and Centers are involved with OSC in the design, implementation, and evaluation of Common Fund programs. | ||
| Office of Technology Transfer | OTT | manages the wide range of NIH and FDA intramural inventions as mandated by the Federal Technology Transfer Act and related legislation. The mission of the NIH OTT is to improve public health through the management of inventions made by NIH and FDA scientists and the development of intellectual property policies for NIH's intramural and extramural research programs. In doing so, OTT serves a leading role in public sector biomedical technology transfer policy and practice. | ||
| Sexual and Gender Minority Research Office | SGMRO | since October 2016 the SGMRO, housed within the Office of the Director, has coordinated NIH-supported activities on SGM health related research projects within and outside of the NIH Institutes. They are the umbrella for all research projects covering the LGBTI communities recognized health disparity – now coded as a Sexual & Gender Minority population.[16] | ||
| Tribal Health Research Office | THRO | THRO is housed within DPCPSI. Established in 2015, the office was created in recognition of the importance of ensuring meaningful input and collaboration with tribal Nations on NIH programs and policies.[17] |
See main article: Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health. The Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) is an entity formerly within the Office of the United States Secretary of Health and Human Services, which was created by Congress in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022. Modeled after DARPA, HSARPA, IARPA, and ARPA-E, it is intended to pursue unconventional research projects through methods not typically used by federal agencies or private sector companies. Secretary Xavier Becerra delegated ARPA-H to the NIH on May 24, 2022. It received $1 billion in appropriations in 2022, and $1.5 billion in 2023, and it is requesting $2.5 billion for 2024.[18]