List of institutes and centers of the National Institutes of Health


The National Institutes of Health 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. It comprises 27 separate institutes and centers 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.

Institutes

Centers of the NIH

In addition to being divided by research area, NIH has many operating groups called centers operating across all of the Institutes.
NameAcronymDescriptionBudget URL
Center for Scientific ReviewCSRThe 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$BUDGET
Clinical CenterCCThe clinical research facility of the National Institutes of Health; provides patient care, services, and environment needed to initiate and support conduct of and training in clinical research.1953$BUDGET
National Center for Advancing Translational SciencesNCATSNCATS 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$643.1
Center for Information TechnologyCITThe CIT incorporates computers into the biomedical programs and administrative procedures of the NIH by conducting computational biosciences research, developing computer systems, and providing computer facilities.1964$BUDGET
John E. Fogarty International CenterFICFIC promotes and supports scientific research and training internationally to reduce disparities in global health.1968$68.6
National Center for Complementary and Integrative HealthNCCIHNCCIH explores complementary and alternative medical practices in the context of rigorous science, training researchers, and disseminating authoritative information.1999$127.6
National Center for Medical Rehabilitation ResearchNCMRRNCMRR fosters development of scientific knowledge needed to enhance the health, productivity, independence, and quality-of-life of people with physical disabilities.1991$BUDGET
National Center for Research ResourcesNCRRNCRR provided funding to laboratory scientists and researchers for facilities and tools in the goal of curing and treating diseases.1990

Office of the Director

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. 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 Dr. Collins by unanimous vote.
Program offices within the Office of the Director fund research through the institutes:
Full nameAcronymRoleResURL
Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic InitiativesDPCPSIplans 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.
Office of Extramural ResearchOERprovides guidance to institutes in research and training programs conducted through programs.
Office of Intramural ResearchOIRcoordinates research conducted directly by NIH personnel through programs.
Office of ManagementOMresponsible for management and financial functions of the NIH.
Office of AdministrationOAadvises 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 ResearchOARformulates scientific policy for, and recommends allocation of research resources for AIDS research at NIH. OAR is housed within DPCPSI.
Office of Biotechnology ActivitiesOBA"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"
Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences ResearchOBSSRadvises 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, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health.
Office of Communications and Public LiaisonOCPLadvises the Director and communicates information about NIH policies, programs, and research results to the general public
Office of Community LiaisonOCLadvises 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 SupplementsODSODS 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.
Office of Disease PreventionODPcoordinates 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, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health.
Office of Intramural Training and EducationOITEprovides a comprehensive guide to postdoctoral training opportunities available at the NIH
Office of Evaluation, Performance, and ReportingOEPRprovides 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 InclusionEDIadvises the Director and NIH staff on matters related to equal employment opportunity programs and policies.
Office of Financial ManagementOFMadvises 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 ResourcesOHRadvises 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 AnalysisOLPAprovides legislative analysis, policy development, and liaison with the United States Congress.
Office of Portfolio AnalysisOPAOPA 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 ProgramsORIPadvances the NIH mission by supporting research infrastructure and research-related resource programs. OAR is housed within DPCPSI.
Office of Research on Women's HealthORWHserves 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, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health.
Office of Strategic CoordinationOSCoversees the NIH Common Fund. OSC is housed within the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health. All NIH Institutes and Centers are involved with OSC in the design, implementation, and evaluation of Common Fund programs.
Office of Technology TransferOTTmanages 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 OfficeSGMROsince 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.
Tribal Health Research OfficeTHROTHRO 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.