National Institutes of Health

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the nation’s primary federal agency for biomedical and public health research, conducting and funding medical investigations that directly improve American health. As part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the NIH comprises 27 specialized institutes and centers focusing on everything from cancer and heart disease to infectious diseases and mental health. With a $48 billion annual budget and nearly 18,700 employees working across a campus in Bethesda, Maryland, the NIH drives scientific discovery that has led to breakthrough treatments, vaccines, and diagnostic tools—from the development of fluoride for tooth decay prevention to vaccines against diseases like HPV and hepatitis.

Research, Funding, and Innovation

What the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Does encompasses both direct research conducted in NIH laboratories and grants supporting thousands of scientists at universities and hospitals nationwide. The NIH is the world’s largest funding source for medical research, enabling everything from fundamental scientific studies to practical health solutions. A critical part of this mission involves testing new treatments through clinical trials that move research discoveries into actual drugs and therapies, ensuring that scientific breakthroughs translate into real-world medical advances.

Challenges and National Health Security

Like all federal agencies, the NIH faces operational and strategic obstacles. Challenges for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) range from funding constraints to workforce issues and the complexity of addressing emerging health threats. The NIH works closely with partner agencies such as the CDC to strengthen America’s public health response, though the CDC faces its own set of challenges that impact overall national preparedness. By understanding what the CDC does alongside NIH efforts, Americans gain insight into how federal health agencies work together to protect public health and respond to disease outbreaks, biosecurity threats, and evolving medical needs.