National Institutes of Health (NIH, www.nih.gov) is the steward of medical and behavioral research for the Nation. It is an Agency under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its mission is science in pursuit of fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to extend healthy life and reduce the burdens of illness and disability. NIH is comprised of 27 Institutes and Centers, has more than 18,000 employees and received more than 27 billion in FY2003 Congressional appropriations.