National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Mission Statement

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) conducts and supports research on many of the most serious diseases affecting public health. The institute supports much of the clinical research on the diseases of internal medicine and related subspecialty fields as well as many basic science disciplines.

The Institute's Division of Intramural Research encompasses the broad spectrum of metabolic diseases such as: diabetes, obesity, inborn errors of metabolism, endocrine disorders, mineral metabolism, digestive and liver diseases, nutrition, urology and renal disease, and hematology. Basic research studies include: biochemistry, biophysics, nutrition, pathology, histochemistry, bioorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, chemical and molecular biology, and pharmacology.

NIDDK extramural research is organized into four divisions: Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases; Digestive Diseases and Nutrition; Kidney, Urologic and Hematologic Diseases; and Extramural Activities.

The Institute supports basic and clinical research through investigator-initiated grants, program project and center grants, and career development and training awards. The Institute also provides publications, supports research and development projects and large-scale clinical trials through contracts.

Research Programs

Division of Intramural Research - The Division of Intramural Research conducts research and training within the Institute's laboratories and clinical facilities in Bethesda, Maryland and at the Phoenix Epidemiology and Clinical Research Branch in Arizona.

Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases - The DEMD supports research and research training related to diabetes mellitus, endocrinology, and metabolic diseases including cystic fibrosis. In addition, DEMD leads the administration of the Trans-NIH Diabetes Program and coordinates federally supported diabetes-related activities.

• Diabetes Research
• Endocrinology Research
• Metabolic Research

Division of Digestive Disease and Nutrition - This division supports research related to liver and biliary diseases, pancreatic diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, including neuroendocrinology, motility, immunology, and digestion in the GI tract, nutrient metabolism, obesity, eating disorders, and energy regulation. The division provides leadership in coordinating activities related to digestive diseases and nutrition throughout the NIH and with various other Federal agencies.

• Gastrointestinal Disease Research
• Epidemiology Research
• Liver Desease Research
• Obesity Research
• Nutrition Sciences

Division of Kidney, Urologic and Hematologic Diseases - The division supports research on diseases of the kidney, genitourinary tract, and blood and blood-forming organs, and on the fundamental biology relevant to these organ systems. It funds training and professional development of investigators in disciplines critical for research in these areas.

• Kidney Research
• Urologic Research
• Hematology Research
• Genomics Research

Division of Extramural Activities - The Division of Extramural Activities (DEA) is responsible for coordinating the receipt, referral and scientific review of extramural research applications and proposals before funding, and for the processing of awards for grants, cooperative agreements and contracts. It logs in, assigns and internally distributes all extramural applications and proposals received by the NIDDK, and conducts scientific and technical peer review for grant applications and contract proposals requiring special programmatic consideration. The DEA also manages an acquisitions and general contracting service center that services NIDDK and several other NIH Institutes/Centers as well. The DEA also coordinates the Institute's Committee Management Activities and the meetings of the National Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Advisory Council. Finally, the DEA performs and coordinates programmatic analysis and evaluation activities.

Publications and materials - Free materials and publications are available through the NIDDK Clearinghouse Publications Catalog and online ordering system.