About the National Institute for Mental Health

The World Leader in Behavioral Science Research

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) is one of 27 components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Federal government's principal biomedical and behavioral research agency. NIH is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

To Support the National Institute of Mental Health, a nonprofit organization — The National Foundation for Mental Health (NFMH) — was formed in 2003. NFMH is a broad-based coalition of individuals, institutions and corporations who understand the critical importance of biomedical and behavioral science research to the wellbeing of society.

Mission of the National Institute of Mental Health

The NIMH mission is to reduce the burden of mental illness and behavioral disorders through research on mind, brain, and behavior. This public health mandate demands that we harness powerful scientific tools to achieve better understanding, treatment, and eventually, prevention of these disabling conditions that affect millions of Americans. To fulfill its mission, the NIMH conducts and supports research on mental disorders and the underlying basic science of brain and behavior;

NIMH Extramural and Intramural Research

NIMH funds research through both extramural (external) and intramural (in-house) programs. Through its extramural program, NIMH supports more than 2,000 research grants and contracts at universities and other institutions across the country and overseas. Investigators propose projects themselves through grant applications and must apply for renewals at intervals in order to receive continued funding.

Approximately 500 scientists work in the NIMH intramural research program. Intramural scientists range from molecular biologists working in laboratories to clinical researchers working with patients at the NIH Clinical Center. Although guided by a rigorous peer review system, intramural scientists are accorded unique flexibility in rapidly following up research leads and unexpected opportunities. Also, because it involves basic science as well as clinical trials, the program is structured to facilitate interdisciplinary studies. Information on the programs of NIMH can be reached on its website.