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National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering
The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) focuses on developing biomedical technologies to improve health. The Institute...
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering
The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) focuses on developing biomedical technologies to improve health. The Institute integrates physical and engineering sciences with life sciences to advance research and medical care. NIBIB's work includes research and development of new biomedical imaging and bioengineering techniques, enhancing existing modalities, and supporting related research in the physical and mathematical sciences.
General information
Firm type
Government Agency
Year founded
2000
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Bethesda
Corporate office
Bethesda, MD, United States
Principals
Bruce J. Tromberg
Director
Richard Conroy
Deputy Director
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who makes funding decisions at NIBIB?
Director Bruce J. Tromberg, with input from the institute's scientific advisory council, sets funding priorities. Individual grant applications are peer-reviewed through the NIH dual-review system, first by study sections and then by the National Advisory Council for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering.
What types of research does NIBIB fund?
NIBIB funds research in biomedical imaging (including MRI, PET, ultrasound, and optical technologies), biomaterials, drug delivery, and point-of-care diagnostics. It emphasizes translational projects that can move from lab to clinical use. The institute does not fund clinical trials of approved therapies or basic disease biology unrelated to engineering.
How does NIBIB differ from other NIH institutes?
Unlike most NIH institutes, which focus on specific diseases (e.g., cancer, heart disease), NIBIB is organized around cross-cutting technologies that apply to many conditions. It also maintains a strong emphasis on early-stage translation and small-business funding through SBIR/STTR awards.
Does NIBIB invest in companies or only universities?
NIBIB primarily funds academic research institutions, but it also supports small businesses through the SBIR and STTR programs. It does not hold equity or make direct investments in companies. Successfully commercialized technologies typically arise from funded research that is later licensed to private entities.
What is NIBIB's annual budget and how is it set?
Congress appropriates NIBIB's budget annually. For fiscal year 2024, the enacted appropriation was approximately $404 million. The institute's budget has grown modestly from roughly $300 million in FY2015.
How does NIBIB relate to the NIH as a whole?
NIBIB is one of 27 institutes and centers within the National Institutes of Health, an agency of the US Department of Health and Human Services. It receives its budget through the NIH appropriation and operates under NIH-wide policies on peer review, grant management, and public access.
What are NIBIB's current strategic priorities?
In its strategic plan (per NIBIB, 2023), the institute focuses on artificial intelligence in imaging, advanced biomaterials for regenerative medicine, point-of-care technologies for global health, and integration of imaging with genomics. It also emphasizes training the next generation of bioengineering researchers.
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