National Institutes of Health

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a research organization headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. Employing 7,111 individuals, NIH operates as the largest biomedical research institution globally. Through its Intramural Research Program (IRP), NIH conducts a wide range of biomedical research, encompassing basic, translational, and clinical studies. With over 1,200 Principal Investigators and 4,000 Postdoctoral Fellows, the IRP focuses on advancing scientific understanding in various fields. Its unique funding structure allows for long-term, impactful research projects that may otherwise be challenging to undertake. NIH's IRP boasts exceptional facilities, including advanced animal care centers, cutting-edge imaging equipment like 7-Tesla MRIs and confocal microscopes, and specialized neuroscience clusters promoting interdisciplinary collaborations. Additionally, a 240-bed research hospital is dedicated to clinical research protocols. Rigorous external reviews ensure funding is allocated to the highest caliber research proposals, contributing to numerous groundbreaking discoveries, including the identification of fluoride's role in preventing tooth decay, the application of lithium in managing bipolar disorder, and the development of vaccines against hepatitis, Haemophilus influenzae (HIB), and human papillomavirus (HPV).