NIAID conducts and supports basic and applied research to better understand, treat, and ultimately prevent infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases. For more than 60 years, NIAID research has led to new therapies, vaccines, diagnostic tests, and other technologies that have improved the health of millions of people in the United States and around the world.

The Institute dedicates funds to support scientific opportunities that align with its mission and address domestic and global health problems and diseases.

Among the 27 Institutes and Centers that comprise the National Institutes of Health, NIAID has a unique mandate, which requires the Institute to respond to emerging public health threats. Toward this end, NIAID manages a complex and diverse research portfolio that aims to do the following:

• Expand the breadth and depth of knowledge in all areas of infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases
• Develop flexible domestic and international research capacities to respond appropriately to emerging and re-emerging disease threats at home and abroad

NIAID advances the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of many of the world’s most intractable and widespread diseases. Key research areas include newly emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and influenza, HIV/AIDS, biodefense, and immune-mediated diseases including asthma and allergy.