Office of Communications and Public Liaison

NIH Communications — the voice of the nation's medical research agency.

The National Institutes of Health wants you to know about the important medical discoveries we're making to improve health and save lives.

That's why you'll hear about NIH on television and the radio. You'll see our scientists quoted in newspapers and magazines. And you can read stories about medical research in action right here on our Web site.

There are communication offices at each of our 27 Institutes and Centers. The Office of Communications & Public Liaison (OCPL) in the Office of the Director provides leadership and guidance, and speaks for NIH as a whole. The OCPL is actively involved with:

• Hispanic Health Fairs
• Internet
• Magazines

• Newspapers      
• Podcasting
• Radio

• Research Festivals
• TV Broadcast News
• Vodcasting

The OCPL provides services directly to the public:

• The NIH Web site offers direct access to health information, research funding opportunities, scientific resources, and the latest research news.
• The NIH News in Health is a monthly newsletter offering practical health information based on research conducted either by NIH's own scientists or by our grantees at universities and medical schools around the country. Subscribe to the NIH News in Health.
• NIH Research Matters is an eColumn offering a glimpse into research accomplishments by NIH and NIH-funded scientists. Brief, accessible stories describe research results and put them in perspective. Subscribe to NIH Research Matters. (This is also offered as an RSS subscription. For instructions on how to subscribe to an RSS feed to get automatic updates whenever new stories are posted, please visit "What is RSS?" page.)
• The Offices of Public Liaison provides information about nationwide NIH-sponsored events and activities; new publications and resources for the public; health campaigns; and opportunities for public involvement. Subscribe to the OPL Bulletin.
• The Hispanic Health Communications Initiative conducts health fairs across the nation.
• The Freedom of Information Act Office provides individuals with a right to access to records in the possession of the federal government. Learn how to submit a FOIA request.
• The Visitor Information Center arranges overviews, tours, meetings, speakers and other special programs for NIH visitors.
• The Office of Community Liaison ensures effective communication and collaboration on policy and programs involving the community surrounding the NIH campus.
• NIH Radio is an audio service designed to provide radio stations and the public with the latest information about NIH research findings, highlights of press conferences, and health campaigns.  Included in this service are the news stories posted weekly on the NIH Radio News Service home page, as well as “NIH Health Matters” — a sixty-second audio feature aired on XM Satellite Radio, the HealthStar Radio Network, and nearly 1,000 radio stations nationwide.  “NIH Research Radio” is a bi-weekly podcast that can be listened to on computer or downloaded into individual portable MP3 players.
• “i on NIH” is an internet-based video program designed to educate and inform anyone interested in health-research news. For 30 minutes, once a month, “i on NIH” covers the excitement of advances and the important discoveries that come from medical research in a news-magazine style. Each program consists of narrated updates, feature reports and in-depth interviews available for viewing on computers, download into individual portable media players, or for repackaging to be broadcast.

The OCPL facilitates a federal advisory committee for the NIH Director:

• The Director's Council of Public Representatives (COPR) is made up of members of the public who provide input to the ongoing work and future development of the NIH.

The OCPL also provides on-going communications for our employees:

• The NIH Record, founded in 1949, is a biweekly newsletter that covers issues of significance to NIH staff.
• The NIH Calendar of Events strengthens collaboration between our scientists by providing a means for them to publicize their talks and presentations.
• The Information for Employees database provides links to the logistics, facilities, and policy information that all NIH employees need for a safe and productive work experience.

Contact us with any questions you may have. We invite you to get involved with NIH communications.