EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1  INTRODUCTION

Background
    Funding Allocation by Institute and Center
    Funding Allocation by Mechanism
    Funding Allocation by Type of Research
    Funding Allocation by Disease
Recent Trends and Issues
IOM Committee Process
Organization of the Report

2  CRITERIA FOR PRIORITY SETTING

Why Criteria Are Important
NIH's Criteria for Priority Setting
    Criterion 1. Public Health Needs
    Criterion 2. Quality of Research Supported
    Criterion 3. Scientific Opportunity
    Criterion 4. Portfolio Diversification
    Criterion 5. Adequate Infrastructure Support
Conclusions and Recommendations

3  PRIORITY-SETTING PROCESSES

Priority Setting Through the Budget Process
NIH Director's Role in Priority Setting
    Transfer Authority
    Discretionary Fund
    NIH Areas of Research Emphasis
    Advisory Committee to the Director
Priority Setting at the Institute Level
Conclusions and Recommendations

4  MECHANISMS FOR PUBLIC INPUT

Public Input into Priority Setting
Recent Changes
Two-Way Communication Between NIH and the Public
Conclusions and Recommendations
    Offices of Public Liaison: Rationale, Roles, and Responsibilities
    Director's Council of Public Representatives: Rationale, Roles, and Responsibilities
    Policy and Program Advisory Group Membership
    Summary

5  CONGRESSIONAL ROLE

Congress and NIH
    How Congress Communicates Priorities
Conclusions and Recommendations

REFERENCES

APPENDIXES

A   Federal Advisory Committees of the National Institutes of Health
B   Acknowledgments
C   National Institutes of Health Funding Tables
D   Committee and Staff Biographies