The NICHD was established by President John F. Kennedy, with the support of congress, in 1962 to study the “complex process of human development from conception to old age.”

In pursuit of its broad mission, the NICHD conducts and supports laboratory research, clinical trials, and epidemiological studies that explore health processes; examines the impact of disabilities, diseases, and variations on the lives of individuals; and sponsors training programs for scientists, health care providers, and researchers to ensure that NICHD research can continue.