Because of a lapse in government funding, the information on this website may not be up to date, transactions submitted via the website may not be processed, and the agency may not be able to respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted.

The NIH Clinical Center (the research hospital of NIH) is open. For more details about its operating status, please visit cc.nih.gov.

Updates regarding government operating status and resumption of normal operations can be found at OPM.gov.

Reflecting on our Science Advances in 2020

Diana W. Bianchi, M.D.

The start of a new year gives us a moment—albeit a brief one—to pause and contemplate the distance we have traveled in our lives and our careers. For NICHD, 2020 was a year filled with many challenges, as it was for the entire world. Thanks to the dedication and commitment of our staff, investigators, and grantees, we rose to the occasion with a  research portfolio aimed at understanding how the COVID-19 pandemic affects pregnant and postpartum women, children, and people with disabilities. At the same time, our institute retained its sharp focus on our core mission areas, making key research advances in women’s health, reproductive science, rare childhood diseases, and many others.

I encourage you to watch the video below and review the Selected NICHD Research Advances of 2020. These advances not only illustrate the breadth and impact of NICHD’s science, but also the passion and resilience of those who work for and with our institute.

Though this year has begun on a tumultuous note, there is reason to remain hopeful. The development and implementation of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines promise to finally bring the COVID-19 pandemic to an end. While we are optimistic for this outcome, NICHD will continue to promote basic, translational, and clinical research discoveries that will lead to improvement in care for the populations we so proudly serve.

Audio Descriptions

top of page BACK TO TOP