National Institute of Nursing Research The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) plays a vital role in advancing the field of nursing science and improving healthcare delivery across the United States. This article will provide an overview of the NINR, its mission, historical milestones, organizational structure, research mechanisms, and opportunities it offers to nursing researchers.
What Is the National Institute of Nursing Research?
The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) is one of the 24 institutes, centers, and divisions that comprise the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is a key part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The NIH is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, and spans 75 buildings across more than 300 acres. It serves as the primary steward of biomedical and behavioral research in the United States, aiming to improve public health by enhancing understanding of the processes underlying human health and by acquiring new knowledge to prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat diseases.
Approximately 80% of the NIH’s annual budget is allocated through grants and contracts that support extramural research and training at over 1,700 universities, medical, dental, and nursing schools, hospitals, and other research institutions in the U.S. and abroad. The remaining 10% of the budget funds more than 2,000 projects conducted in NIH’s own intramural laboratories.
10th Anniversary and Revitalization
In 1996, the NINR celebrated its 10th anniversary. The institute was initially established as the National Center for Nursing Research (NCNR) in 1986 by Public Law 99-158 and later attained its status as an institute through the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993. The NINR’s budget grew from $16 million in 1986 to $139 million in 2005, and its staff expanded from an initial 9 members to over 50, including scientists, administrators, and support personnel.
Nursing Research and Other Profession Researches
Nursing research is relatively new within the scientific community compared to other health-related disciplines. Traditionally, nursing started as an occupation within hospital settings rather than as an academic discipline. However, in the past 25 years, nursing research has grown and flourished in academic institutions, aided by the availability of doctoral programs specifically designed for nursing professionals.
Mission of the National Institute of Nursing Research
The mission of the NINR is to support basic and clinical research that establishes a scientific basis for the care of individuals throughout their lifespan. This includes managing patients during illness and recovery, reducing risks for disease and disability, and promoting healthy lifestyles. The NINR’s broad mandate encompasses understanding and alleviating the symptoms of acute and chronic illnesses, preventing or delaying the onset of disease, promoting effective health strategies, and improving clinical care settings.
Additionally, the NINR focuses on research involving the problems faced by patients’ families and caregivers, emphasizing the needs of at-risk and underserved populations. The goal is to translate scientific advances into cost-effective healthcare without compromising quality.
First Directors’ Steps
The first director of the NINR, Dr. Ada Sue Hinshaw, served from 1987 to 1994 and is widely recognized for her contributions to teaching, nursing research, and academic administration. Under her leadership, the NINR was established as an active participant in the federal research community, achieving national recognition for nursing research.
The current director, Dr. Patricia A. Grady, an internationally recognized stroke researcher, was appointed in 1995 after serving as deputy director and acting director of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Her leadership continues to drive the institute’s mission forward.
Employees Level Division
The NIH employs a two-level system for reviewing grant applications.
- First-Level Review: Panels of external experts assess the scientific merit of the proposed research. This evaluation is based on criteria such as significance, innovation, approach, and potential impact on health.
- Second-Level Review: Conducted by national advisory councils, this review considers the scientific merit determined in the first level, program relevance, and the appropriate allocation of resources. These councils also provide guidance on policy development, program implementation, evaluation, and other matters critical to the missions and goals of the NIH institutes and centers.
Advisory Council
The National Advisory Council for Nursing Research (NACNR) serves as the advisory council for the NINR and comprises 15 members:
- Ten Leaders: Experts in health and scientific disciplines relevant to NINR’s activities.
- Five Public Members: Leaders in healthcare, public policy, law, and economics.
- Six Ex Officio Members: Including the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the NIH Director, the Chief Nursing Officer of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Assistant Secretary for Health Affairs of the Department of Defense, and the Director of the Division of Nursing, Health Resources, and Services Administration, DHHS.
Mechanisms and Categorization
The NIH awards research funding through three primary mechanisms: grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements.
- Grants: The main mechanism used by the NINR, particularly the investigator-initiated grant, supports research and training projects where the applicant develops the protocol, concept, method, and approach. This category includes:
- Research Projects (R01s)
- First Independent Research Support and Transition (FIRST) Awards (R29s)
- Research Scientist Development Awards (K01s)
- Contracts and Cooperative Agreements: In certain cases, the NINR solicits applications for special mechanisms such as core center grants (P30s) and small research grants (R03s). The cooperative agreement mechanism supports the recipient’s activities and provides for significant involvement of the funding agency during the project.
- Research Training: The NINR supports research training through individual and institutional National Research Service Awards (F31s, F32, F33s, and T32s).
NINR Opportunities
As the NINR identifies new opportunities for research, nursing researchers are at the forefront of innovative areas of scientific exploration. Some examples of current NINR research priorities include:
- Genetics and Clinical Implications: NINR supports research in the clinical management of genetic disorders, including genetic screening, counseling, clinical decision-making, and bioethical considerations.
- Cognitive Impairment and Pain Management: Nursing researchers are leading studies on the remediation of cognitive impairment, prevention and control of pain, and the management of side effects associated with medical treatments.
- Microbial Threats and Health Promotion: Research focuses on developing improved approaches to preventing and adhering to treatments for microbial threats to health. This also includes linking biological and behavioral approaches to health care.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Recognizing the role of cultural sensitivity in health research and healthcare delivery, NINR-funded research explores how cultural factors impact health behaviors and outcomes.
NINR Support Areas
The NINR research portfolio spans six major areas, encouraging collaboration among multiple disciplines:
- Neurofunction and Sensory Conditions: Research includes studies on neurological function, cognitive disorders, and sensory impairments.
- Reproductive and Infant Health: Focuses on maternal health, fetal development, and neonatal care.
- Immune, Infectious, and Neoplastic Diseases: Encompasses research on immune responses, infectious diseases, and cancer.
- Cardiopulmonary and Acute Illnesses: Includes studies on cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions and other acute medical issues.
- Metabolic and Other Chronic Illnesses: Investigates chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and endocrine disorders.
- Human Development and Health Risk Behaviors: Explores various aspects of human development and behaviors that impact health, such as substance use and lifestyle choices.
Contact and Application Process
Individuals interested in submitting grant applications for research are encouraged to contact the NINR program staff to discuss research opportunities and proposed areas of study before beginning the application process. The NINR’s Division of Extramural Activities can be contacted at:
- Address: National Institute of Nursing Research, NIH, Building 45, Room 3AN-12, 45 Center Drive, MSC 6300, Bethesda, MD 20892-6300.
- Telephone: (301) 594-6906.
For general questions, the Office of Science Policy and Information at the NINR can be reached at:
- Address: National Institute of Nursing Research, NIH, Building 31, Room 5B13, 31 Center Drive, MSC 2178, Bethesda, MD 20892-2178.
- Telephone: (301) 496-0207.
Conclusion
The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) is a vital part of the NIH that focuses on supporting nursing research to improve patient care across the lifespan. Through its funding mechanisms, training programs, and interdisciplinary collaborations, the NINR helps advance nursing science in various areas, from genetic counseling to pain management and chronic disease prevention. As a relatively young but growing institute, the NINR continues to play a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of health care through nursing research and ensuring that scientific advances translate into effective, accessible, and culturally sensitive care.