National Institute on Aging


The National Institute on Aging is a division of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, located in Bethesda, Maryland. The NIA itself is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland.
The NIA leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life. In 1974, Congress granted authority to form NIA to provide leadership in aging research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs relevant to aging and older people. Subsequent amendments to this legislation designated the NIA as the primary Federal agency on Alzheimer's disease research.
NIA is led by Director, Richard J. Hodes, M.D, and Deputy Director: Marie Bernard, M.D.

Mission

NIA's mission is to improve the health and well-being of older Americans through research, and specifically to:
NIA sponsors research on aging through extramural and intramural programs. The extramural program funds research and training at universities, hospitals, medical centers, and other public and private organizations nationwide. The intramural program conducts basic and clinical research in Baltimore, MD and on the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD.