Scientific Interest Groups (SIGs)

NIH Intramural Scientific Interest Groups (SIGs) are assemblies of scientists with common research interests. These groups engage with their members via a listserv; sponsor symposia, poster sessions and lectures; offer mentoring and career guidance for junior scientists; help researchers share the latest techniques and information; act as informal advisors to the Deputy Director of Intramural Research (DDIR); provide advice for the annual NIH Research Festival; and serve as hosts for the Wednesday Afternoon Lecture Series. Most of these groups welcome interested non-NIH scientists.

SIGs form and evolve regularly as new scientific trends arise. Information about group activities or new groups is published in The NIH Catalyst and on the DDIR Web Board (NIH-only). Central coordination for the groups is provided by the Office of Intramural Research. The NIH also hosts Scientific Listservs and Intramural Organizations, listed towards the bottom of this page. To create a new SIG, please contact OIRinfo@od.nih.gov.

Scientific Listservs

The following groups communicate with their members via E-mail-based listservs but, unlike the SIGs listed above, do not meet regularly.

The following organizations provide important forums for specific segments of the NIH IRP population, enabling networking, mentoring, career development, and multi-institute collaborations. These groups also serve a valuable role in representing the interests of their membership to IRP and NIH leadership.