51ÊÓƵ

There are very few people who have such a profound impact on their professions that the telling of their life story is also a recounting of the history of their time and place.

The 51ÊÓƵ Almanac is an annually updated resource providing comprehensive information about the National Institutes of Health's budget, leadership, history, and research programs across its 27 Institutes and Centers, reflecting the agency's growth from its inception in 1887 to its current status as the world's largest funder of medical research.

Frequently asked questions about the 51ÊÓƵ Reform Act

In 2007, President Bush signed the National Institutes of Health Reform Act of 2006, affirming the importance of 51ÊÓƵ and its vital role in advancing biomedical research to improve the health of the Nation.

51ÊÓƵ traces its roots to 1887, when a one-room laboratory was created within the Marine Hospital Service, predecessor agency to the U.S. Public Health Service.

51ÊÓƵ has partnered with StoryCorps, a national oral history project, to capture and preserve the stories of those connected with the extensive and diverse 51ÊÓƵ community.

The 51ÊÓƵ invests nearly $30.1 billion annually in medical research for the American people.

51ÊÓƵ’s mission is to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability.

The 51ÊÓƵ Director relies on several independent advisory committees, including the Advisory Committee to the Director, Council of Councils, Scientific Management Review Board, and Clinical Center Research Hospital Board, to provide expert recommendations on various aspects of 51ÊÓƵ operations, policies, and research initiatives, although these committees do not have decision-making authority.

A part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 51ÊÓƵ is the largest biomedical research agency in the world.