NIH Special Events Branch and Tours at NIH

NIH Special Events Branch and Tours at NIH

Clinical Center Tours Discontinued

Due to the Clinical Center's role as an active patient care and research hospital, public tours are no longer offered. This change helps ensure the safety, privacy, and well-being of our patients, visitors, and staff while supporting the Clinical Center's ongoing healthcare and research activities.

We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to take our virtual tour to learn more about the NIH Clinical Center, its groundbreaking clinical research, and its contributions to advancing human health.

About Tours at NIH Main Campus (Bethesda, Maryland)

The NIH Special Events and Visits Branch and the Nobel Laureate Exhibit Hall are located on the NIH main campus in Bethesda, Maryland. We welcome invited guests from across the United States and around the world for limited pre-approved programs. Our branch offers two general tour options, which are designed for invited groups of ten or less, who are interested in learning more about how NIH improves human health and prevents disease.

Tours are available to affiliated staff, patients and invited members of the scientific community.

  • Tour the NIH Nobel Laureate Exhibit Hall

    The Nobel Laureate Exhibit Hall honors NIH supported intramural and extramural scientists who have won the Nobel Prize in chemistry, physiology or medicine. Nobel Laureate Exhibit Hall Tours will be offered weekly on Thursdays from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and reservations are required.  Requests must be submitted at least 14 days in advance for U.S. persons or 30 days in advance for non-US persons.

  • NIH Virtual Tour

    Can’t make it to the Bethesda campus in person? Explore the campus virtually and learn how NIH turns discovery into health. 

What to Know Before a Tour

All visitors must go through NIH security protocols in order to be issued a visitor badge at the NIH Gateway Center for entry onto the NIH Bethesda campus.

Visit the Visitor Campus Access page to learn more regarding campus entry, directions, and processes for visitors

Tour Restrictions

  • Tours are not customizable. 
  • The NIH Special Events and Visits Branch cannot set-up additional scientific or staff member meetings on your behalf.
  • Tour groups may not exceed more than 10 attendees. Groups larger than 10 cannot be split into multiple groups.
  • Requesting a tour does not guarantee tour availability for your chosen date or time.
  • A valid government photo identification (REAL ID driver’s license and/or passport) is required for entry for all individuals ages 18 and above. Guests under the age of 18, without a photo ID must be signed in by an adult sponsor or chaperone from the visiting group.
  • Groups with children under the age of 18 are not permitted to tour the NIH Clinical Center.
  • The NIH does not accept third party tour requests, and resources will not be provided to for profit, commercial entities.

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