Extramural and Intramural Research

Questions and Answers Table of Contents

What's the difference between extramural and intramural research?

NIAID intramural labs are headed by federal employees who work for the Institute. We fund intramural research directly as part of our budget, including salaries, laboratories, and other resources.

For extramural research, NIAID awards grants and contracts to outside institutions, which pay for research projects and resources, including the salaries of principal investigators they employ.

What percentage of the NIH budget is intramural?

Out of NIH's approximately $29 billion budget for FY 2008, about 10 percent was slated for intramural research, mostly at NIH's Bethesda, Maryland, campus.

Do intramural scientists write grant applications?

Generally not. However, intramural scientists can apply for some NIH grants, e.g., K22 career awards, fellowships, and Roadmap initiatives. Go to Intramural Submission of NIH Grant Applications SOP.

Are some intramural resources open to extramural scientists?

Rarely. Resources are shared only if an extramural program is sponsoring them. You may collaborate with intramural staff through a CRADA; see the next question.

Do NIAID intramural scientists collaborate extensively with extramural scientists?

Yes. To find NIAID intramural staff, go to the Division of Intramural Research staff list.

Does NIAID have resources to facilitate those collaborations?

Do intramural programs undergo peer review?

Yes. NIAID's Board of Scientific Counselors conducts rigorous reviews of Division of Intramural Research staff and laboratories and advises the NIAID director on the status of the Institute's intramural research programs. Go to the BSC roster.

Is it easy to get tenure in intramural?

No. Intramural scientists undergo thorough peer reviews by the Board of Scientific Counselors, and a very small percentage becomes tenured.

Can intramural scientists serve on NIH scientific review groups?

Yes. Scientific review groups may include up to one-fourth federal employees, such as NIH intramural scientists. In practice, roughly only one percent of peer reviewers are federal employees. For more information, see 42 CFR Section 52h.4(c) of the Federal Register.

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