The FNIH Salutes Science Leading the Way
For more than a quarter century, the FNIH has contributed to significant progress in shaping the course of biomedical science and human health. We have catalyzed innovation and discovery by implementing collaborations and programs to answer the toughest scientific questions. Our initiatives have sped the development of new diagnostics, therapies, and cures. Through education, awards, and other projects, we have helped cultivate global thought leadership, propel scientific careers, and deliver high-quality patient care. At every step of the way, science has served as our beacon.
2021
WHO Guidance Framework for Testing Genetically Modified Mosquitoes:
A collaboration with GeneConvene to update the 2014 guidance with current standards of quality and consistency for developing, testing, and regulating new genetic technologies to help stem the spread of vector-borne diseases.
Accelerating Medicines Partnership for the Bespoke Gene Therapy Consortium (AMP BGTC):
A public-private partnership to accelerate the delivery of promising new gene therapies to patients with rare diseases that currently lack effective treatments.
NIMBLE Project’s First Set of Data on Establishing Non-Invasive Biomarkers to Diagnose NASH:
The first data produced by this five-year program topline the suitability of candidate blood-based non-invasive biomarkers for use in clinical trials of treatments for Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH).
Kovler Foundation’s First Gift to the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities:
The Judy and Peter Blum Kovler Foundation funds a fellowship supporting the Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL) Against COVID-19 Disparities.
2020
Accelerating COVID-19 Therapeutic Interventions and Vaccines (ACTIV) Partnership:
A landmark public-private partnership launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and coordinated by the FNIH to speed development of urgently needed vaccine and treatment options.
Accelerating Medicines Partnership for Schizophrenia (AMP SCZ):
A groundbreaking addition to the AMP family, pioneering the identification of early indicators of schizophrenia to identify people at risk and develop better treatments.
Deeda Blair Research Initiative for Disorders of the Brain:
An initiative to drive innovation in mental health research by supporting the taking of risks and creative—even disruptive—ideas to accelerate diagnoses and treatments for severe mental illness. It seeks to foster transformative change by helping uncover new targets and approaches for therapy.
GeneConvene Global Collaborative:
An initiative to advance the safe, responsible exploration of genetic biocontrol technologies for public health—including gene drive approaches for malaria control—that have the potential to save many lives.
2019
Lung Cancer Master Protocol (Lung-MAP):
An expansion of the first precision medicine trial in lung cancer, making thousands of new patients with non-small cell lung cancers eligible to enroll and potentially benefit from investigational drugs.
Non-Invasive Biomarkers of Metabolic Liver Disease (NIMBLE):
A new Biomarkers Consortium project to develop a patient-friendly, non-invasive approach to diagnose non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a type of liver disease that affects roughly 5 percent of U.S. adults.
TB Vaccine Project:
An initiative to determine whether intravenous delivery of the BCG vaccine is more consistently effective at protecting infants against TB infection than intradermal delivery.
2018
Accelerating Medicines Partnership for Parkinson’s Disease (AMP PD):
The highly successful AMP model is expanded to support identification and validation of biomarkers that will help advance urgently needed treatments for Parkinson’s disease.
First-Ever Qualification of a Clinical Safety Biomarker:
The Biomarkers Consortium’s Kidney Safety Project receives the first-ever clinical safety biomarker qualification awarded by the FDA, which will aid in the detection of drug-induced kidney injury, helping keep trial volunteers and patients healthy and improving the development of safe and effective medicines.
Trailblazer Prize for Clinician-Scientists:
A prize that celebrates the transformational work of clinician-scientists, whose research translates basic scientific observations into new paradigm-shifting approaches for diagnosing, preventing, treating or curing disease and disability.
2017
Gold Stevie Awards:
The FNIH receives the Gold Stevie Award for Organization of the Year in the government/nonprofit category of the Women in Business Awards. FNIH President and Executive Director Maria C. Freire receives the Gold Stevie Award for Woman of the Year in the government/nonprofit category.
Partnership for Accelerating Cancer Therapies (PACT):
An innovative collaboration with leading biopharmaceutical companies to identify and validate standardized biomarkers that can speed development of new immunotherapies to fight cancer.
Using Biomarkers to Predict TB Treatment Duration (PredictTB):
A long-term project with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to shorten treatment times for some TB patients, helping to solve one of the world’s most pressing public health challenges.
Advanced Metrics and Modeling with Volumetric CT for Precision Analysis of Clinical Trial Results (Vol–PACT):
A research partnership to develop new ways of analyzing digital images to track patients’ responses to cancer therapy and ultimately improve the accuracy and efficiency of clinical trials.
2016
Driven to Cure, Inc.:
Established by Andrew Lee to bring awareness and provide funding for the research of rare kidney cancers like HLRCC in children and young adults. At the National Cancer Institute, it supports the research of W. Marston Linehan, M.D., Chief of Urologic Surgery and the Urologic Oncology Branch.
Evidentiary Criteria Framework:
The FNIH Biomarkers Consortium works with the NIH and FDA to develop standards for the levels of evidence required to qualify biomarkers for use in drug development.
Charles A. Sanders, M.D., Partnership Award:
An annual award recognizing individuals and/or organizations that make significant contributions in support of the FNIH’s mission.
2015
Amgen Scholars Program:
The Amgen Foundation provides funds to the FNIH for the sponsorship of 20 undergraduate research scholarships per year for four years to participate in the NIH’s summer internship program (later renewed through 2023).
Baby Connectome Project:
A five-year effort to provide robust data about how the developing brain functions during the first five years of life.
2014
Lung-MAP:
A first-of-its-kind precision medicine trial that tests multiple genetically targeted drugs and immunotherapies for lung cancer patients.
2013
Accelerating Medicines Partnership® (AMP®):
A $190 million partnership that seeks to identify and validate new drug targets, initially in Alzheimer’s disease, type 2 diabetes and immune-mediated disorders and later in more disease areas.
Eliminate Dengue:
A project that shows how a common bacterium can help reduce the spread of viral diseases by mosquitoes. Initiates international field trials to demonstrate its ability to prevent dengue fever.
Genome: Unlocking Life’s Code:
The FNIH funds this human genomics exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History to celebrate the 10th anniversary of sequencing the human genome and the 60th anniversary of the discovery of DNA’s structure.
Lurie Prize in Biomedical Sciences:
Establishment of this annual award that recognizes outstanding achievements by a young biomedical researcher.
2012
Medical Research Scholars Program (MRSP):
This intensive residential training program begins at the NIH for medical, dental and veterinary students.
2009
Clinical Center In-Kind Drug Donation Program:
A program to secure in-kind donations of pharmaceutical agents for the NIH Clinical Center, to free up NIH resources to support new and cutting-edge research.
Vector-Based Control of Transmission: Discovery Research (VCTR):
A program that develops novel biological and chemical interventions to stop the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.
2008
MAL-ED:
A longitudinal study that examines the relationships between malnutrition and intestinal diseases and their effects on the health and development of young children across the globe.
Research Partnership in Cognitive Aging:
An initiative to support research on age-related changes in the brain and cognition. Renewed through 2025, the partnership aims to expand understanding of how we think, learn and remember with age.
2007
Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP):
A partnership to study adverse drug reactions and to help improve the safety of medical products.
2006
The Biomarkers Consortium:
This landmark public-private partnership launches to identify, develop and qualify biomarkers to improve drug development and regulatory decision-making.
2005
Comprehensive T-Cell Vaccine Immune Monitoring Consortium (CTC-VIMC):
The first in a long-term series of partnerships to create and maintain a centralized resource to evaluate cellular immune responses to experimental HIV/AIDS vaccines and identify those that are most promising.
Genetic Association Information Network (GAIN):
Samples from thousands of patients in six common diseases are sequenced and compiled in the first large-scale individual genotype-phenotype database (dbGaP) at the National Library of Medicine.
The Edmond J. Safra Family Lodge:
This home-away-from-home for patients of the NIH Clinical Center and their families opens. During its first 16 years, the Safra Family Lodge welcomes 262,361 guests—patients, caregivers and family members—with 148,898 room nights hosted.
2003
Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI):
Establishing new models for collaborative research and open data access—which become hallmarks of the FNIH’s overall approach to partnership—this study advances the understanding of Alzheimer’s disease over the next 18 years, and counting.
Grand Challenges in Global Health:
A $200 million partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support innovative research on vaccines, drugs and vector control interventions to fight diseases responsible for global health inequity. This major initiative, managing 20 projects in 25 countries, sets bold goals and funds unproven but potentially transformative breakthroughs.
1999
Osteoarthritis Initiative:
The FNIH’s first large research initiative, this project creates a public-access database enabling scientists worldwide to help predict the progression of osteoarthritis and develop treatments, leading to a new model for collaboration.
