NIAID conducts and supports basic and applied research to better understand, treat, and ultimately prevent infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases. For more than 60 years, NIAID research has led to new therapies, vaccines, diagnostic tests, and other technologies that have improved the health of millions of people in the United States and around the world. NIAID scientists study all aspects of infectious diseases, from bench to bedside. 

Trainees are a critical part of the NIAID mission and NIAID is committed to offering a broad spectrum of paid research training opportunities, ranging from high school to postdoctoral level. NIAID strives to promote diversity and inclusion by recruiting and supporting trainees from underrepresented communities and disadvantaged backgrounds and trainees conduct research focused on understanding, treating, and preventing infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases in NIAID labs in Maryland and Montana.

With opportunities in both the Division of Intramural Research (DIR) and the Vaccine Research Center (VRC), NIAID supports approximately 600 fellows through the Intramural Research Training Award (IRTA) and Visiting Fellowship (VF) programs. While conducting research in NIAID, fellows are supported outside of the lab by the NIAID Office of Research Training and Development (ORTD). ORTD offers a robust curriculum of workshops, seminars, and other resources to support fellows as they progress through their scientific research career. Support covers topics like career planning and CV/resume writing, as well as graduate and medical school workshops and support in applying to grants and academic positions. NIAID's goal is to help training and support the next generations of biomedical researchers by recruiting and supporting them at all stages and levels.