Office of Communications and Government Relations
The Office of Communications and Government Relations (OCGR) is the office with overall responsibility for coordinating efforts to interpret and disseminate the goals and results of NIAID research programs and projects to numerous audiences, including:
- the biomedical community
- Congress
- the media
- constituents and other specialized groups
- physicians and healthcare providers and the general public, at the national and international level
OCGR coordinates and supports collaborative international research programs focusing upon infectious diseases. In addition, OCGR coordinates NIAID intramural and extramural world-wide biomedical research on infectious and immunological diseases, advising the Institute Director on program relationships and opportunities for collaboration.
OCGR's program efforts include:
Providing epidemiology services and technical support to NIAID international research projects and staff assigned overseas
Developing short- and long-term communications policies, objectives, and strategies in support of the mission and priorities of the Institute
Serving as the liaison and point of contact for all legislative matters; providing critical legislative analysis and preparing Congressional testimony
Coordinating responses to all NIAID-directed media inquiries; writing news releases and statements directed to the media
Responding to requests for information and records submitted under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA) programs
Responding to public inquiries regarding NIAID-related research and health topics, for example, biodefense, HIV/AIDS, and infectious, allergic, and immunologic diseases
Writing content for and producing pamphlets, fact sheets, and Web-based information materials for the public
Managing the NIAID Web site, including content, policies, standards, and guidelines, and using the Internet as a primary tool in communications efforts
Serving as the Institute’s liaison with appropriate voluntary, advocacy, and professional societies, providing information exchange, and building understanding partnerships
Utilizing and integrating new communication technologies
OCGR directs and coordinates:
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