Innovation and Translation
NIH fuels innovation by catalyzing new discoveries, new prevention strategies, treatments, and cures. To advance the translation of discoveries into products for people, OSP supports NIH’s work to promote innovation across sectors, foster the maturation of discoveries from bench to bedside, and maximize the public’s return on investment.
Innovation Policy
NIH aims for a balanced research portfolio and policies that promote a high return on investment for U.S. taxpayers. That return on investment includes things like improving public health, spurring further R&D, and stimulating economic returns through new products, jobs, and competition. Indeed, study after study has shown how NIH-funded research catalyzes the development of new drugs, emerging therapies, and public health interventions. NIH is also routinely exploring how to optimize its approach, so that the research it funds is deployed equitably to contribute to public good and not out of reach to the public that made the investments.
OSP seeks to inform and develop clear, consistent policies that support a broad range of innovation and help the agency fulfill its mission of promoting the application of knowledge to enhance human health. OSP also serves as a resource on matters involving biomedical innovation, intellectual property, patents, licensing, public-private partnerships, and NIH’s contribution to new biomedical products. The overarching goal is to increase equitable access to NIH-funded research and promote access to the fruits of that research.
Select Innovation Policy Programs and Resources
NIH Intramural Research Program Access Planning Policy
All NIH activities are driven by the principle that our work is not finished when we deliver scientific discoveries; our work is finished when all people are living long and healthy lives. To advance this aim, NIH’s Intramural Research Program (IRP) Access Planning Policy seeks to improve access to medical products developed from NIH-owned inventions.
The IRP Access Planning Policy applies to certain NIH-owned inventions and research conducted by NIH’s own scientists within its Intramural Research Program—the internal research arm of the agency. Under the policy, outside organizations submitting license applications to NIH on or after June 1, 2025, are required to provide a plan describing the steps they will take to promote patient access to any resulting new drugs, biologics (including vaccines), or devices. The policy only applies to licenses that would authorize the development of those patient-facing products and NIH defines patient access broadly to include affordability, availability, acceptability, and sustainability. Upon approval by NIH, access plans will be incorporated into commercial patent licenses granted by NIH.
Overall, this policy emphasizes the importance of proactive planning for patient access in the commercialization process for NIH-owned inventions.