Bring an empty stomach! Art Print | National Institutes of Health

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and public health research. It is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is one of the world’s foremost medical research centers.

Founded in the late 1880s and formally established under its current name in 1930, the NIH comprises 27 institutes and centers, each focusing on specific areas of health research—such as cancer, mental health, infectious diseases, aging, and genetics.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, the NIH supports both intramural research (conducted by its own scientists) and extramural research (through grants and funding to universities, hospitals, and other institutions worldwide). It plays a crucial role in advancing scientific knowledge, improving health outcomes, and promoting innovation in medicine and public health.

The NIH's work has led to groundbreaking discoveries in areas such as vaccines, genetic disorders, cancer therapies, and the human genome.