Get Involved at NIH

Get Involved at NIH

NIH encourages and depends on public involvement in federally supported research and activities. NIH’s wide-ranging public efforts include outreach and education, nationwide events, requests for public input on NIH projects, and special programs designed specifically to involve public representatives in clinical research.

Public Involvement with NIH

NIH engages in a wide range of outreach efforts, including nationwide events, requests for public input on NIH projects, and special programs designed specifically to involve public representatives in the clinical research enterprise.

Community Liaison Opportunities

 has a long standing partnership with the Bethesda/Chevy Chase community, and is dedicated to serving the interests and well-being of the NIH neighborhood and its neighbors.

Volunteer


  • Volunteer Training, FAQs, Contact Us

  • Volunteer Training, FAQs, Contact Us

  • Find opportunities throughout the federal government on  â€” Type "volunteering" into the search box.

Clinical Studies

Clinical studies are medical research studies in which people participate as volunteers. Clinical research studies (sometimes called trials or protocols) are a means of developing new treatments and medications for diseases and conditions.


  • Learn about clinical trials, how to participate, and how clinical research helps NIH advance science and improve health.

  • Participate in clinical studies at the NIH Clinical Center.

  • Easy access to information on publicly and privately supported clinical studies on a wide range of diseases and conditions.

  • The National Cancer Institute's Office of Advocacy Relations works serves as a conduit between NCI and the cancer advocacy community.

Healthy Volunteers

Healthy volunteers provide researchers with important information for comparison with people who have specific illnesses. Every year, nearly 3,500 healthy volunteers participate in studies at NIH. .

NIH Office of Science Education

Explore the  resources for the public.

NIH Outreach and Education

NIH Communications

There are communication offices at each of our 27 Institutes and Centers. The  (OCPL) in the Office of the Director speaks for NIH as a whole.

NIH communication offices provide information on NIH programs and activities to the public, scientific community, medical profession, and the media.

  •  â€” current press releases
  •  â€” weekly research news
  •  â€” monthly consumer health newsletter
  •  â€” scientific meetings
  •  â€” employee newsletter

Scientific Research and Training Opportunities

The NIH sponsors  in

  • high school;
  • college/university;
  • graduate school and medical/dental school;

as well as researchers doing postbaccalaureate work. See also the , a non-profit organization sponsoring continuing medical education for physicians.

Science Education for All Ages

Our STEM Teaching Resources site offers free STEM education materials (grades pre-K through 12) created by the institutes and centers within the ľ¹ÏÖ±²¥ (NIH) and recipients of the NIH  program.

Small Business Opportunities

If you're a small business interested in contracting at NIH, please start by reading the information provided by our parent Agency, the Department of Health and Human Services.

 is fully dedicated to supporting every small business entity (which includes minority, women-owned, veteran-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned and HUBZone companies), in their pursuit of health-related contracts.

Visit  to learn about NIH, CDC, and FDA research funding opportunities for qualified United States small businesses to engage in Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization.

Check out the OSDBU Calendar of Events for .

Additional Resources

  • National Institutes of Hope: Help Us Help You
    No matter who you are, NIH needs your help. Here are just a few of the many things you can do to advance our mission of hope.

  • Tribal consultation policy, points of contact, and advisory committee charter.

Related Links

 â€” identifies and develops opportunities for innovative public-private partnerships involving industry, academia, and the philanthropic community

 â€” a private, non-profit, family-centered residence for pediatric outpatients at the NIH and for their families

 â€” a non-profit, charitable organization that provides emergency financial assistance to NIH patients and their families

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