Comments and Suggestions Invited for Update of NIH Mission Statement
The federal government as issued a Request for Information (RFI) inviting feedback on a proposed update to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) mission statement. As the largest public funder of biomedical and behavioral research in the world, NIH works to turn scientific discoveries into better health for all. This RFI will inform NIH’s efforts to update its mission statement to ensure that it reflects the NIH mission as accurately as possible. Review of this entire RFI notice is encouraged to ensure your response is comprehensive and to have a full understanding of how it will be used. (For complete RFI, see here).
Comments must be received by 11:59:59 p.m. (ET) on November 24, 2023 to ensure consideration. After the public comment period has closed, the comments received will be considered in a timely manner by NIH.
This RFI invites input from interest groups throughout the scientific research, advocacy, and clinical practice communities, those employed by NIH or at institutions receiving NIH support, and the public, on a proposed revised mission statement. The bolded language reflects differences between the current and proposed mission statements.
• Current mission statement: “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.”
• Proposed revised mission statement: “To seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and to apply that knowledge to optimize health and prevent or reduce illness for all people. ”
Input sought about the proposed revised mission statement includes, but is not limited to, the following:
• Feedback on whether the proposed new mission statement reflects the goals and objectives as outlined in the NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2021–2025 (https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/about-nih/strategic-plan-fy2021-2025-508.pdf).
- Suggestions for specific language that could be added to the proposed mission statement and why.
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Feedback on any specific language that could be removed from the proposed mission statement and why.
NIH encourages organizations ( e.g., patient advocacy groups, professional societies) to submit a single response reflective of the views of the organization or its membership.