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Strategic Priorities for COVID-19 Research
The NIH-Wide COVID-19 Strategic Plan (PDF | 3.4 MB) provides a framework for expediting testing, therapies, and vaccines for COVID-19.
Priority 1: Improve Fundamental Knowledge
of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 disease progression, outcomes, and recovery
Priority 2: Advance Research to Improve Detection
by developing and validating new assays and retooling existing diagnostic platforms
Priority 3: Support to Advance Treatment
by evaluating new or repurposing existing treatments and defining implementation strategies
Priority 4: Accelerate Research to Improve Prevention
by developing vaccines, other methods to prevent transmission, and implementation models
Priority 5: Prevent and Redress Poor COVID-19 Outcomes
in health disparity and vulnerable populations
NIH-Wide Strategic Plan for COVID-19 Research
Explore the plans to accelerate the development of therapeutic interventions, vaccines, and diagnostics.
A Timeline of NIH's Response
As the pandemic has evolved, so have NIH’s response and strategies. Learn how our response has developed over time and how NIH continues to speed development of new testing, treatments, and vaccines while also supporting research on SARS-CoV-2 and the disease it causes, COVID-19.
December 18, 2020
After thorough evaluation, the FDA authorizes the NIH-Moderna vaccine for emergency use for people 18 years of age and older.
December 16, 2020
NIH launches Pediatric Research Immune Network on SARS-CoV-2 and MIS-C (PRISM) study to evaluate health outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 in children.
December 15, 2020
An NIH-funded COVID-19 home test, developed with support from the RADx initiative, receives emergency use authorization from the FDA.
(Ellume USA photo)
December 14, 2020
The first doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine — developed with clinical trial support from NIH — are administered in the United States under emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
November 20, 2020
NIH expands research to improve COVID-19 testing among underserved and vulnerable populations.
November 16, 2020
NIH announces promising interim results from clinical trial of NIH–Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
September 10, 2020
NIH launches two Phase 3 clinical trials testing blood-clotting treatments for COVID-19 as part of the ACTIV initiative.
July 8, 2020
NIH launches the COVID-19 Prevention Network, a clinical trials network to test COVID-19 vaccines and other prevention tools.
May 15, 2020
The U.S. government launches Operation Warp Speed to coordinate efforts and encourage public and private partnerships to enable faster approval and production of COVID-19 vaccines.
April 29, 2020
NIH launches the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics (RADxSM) initiative to speed innovation leading to reliable diagnostic testing.
April 17, 2020
NIH launches the Accelerating COVID-19 Therapeutic Interventions and Vaccines (ACTIV) initiative, a public–private partnership focused on developing treatments and vaccines for COVID-19.
March 27, 2020
The United States passes the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus bill. The CARES Act includes $940 million for NIH. Additional government funding allocated to NIH at later dates.
January 13, 2020
NIH and Moderna finalize the design of a vaccine candidate and begin working to produce it.
January 10, 2020
The genetic sequence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is released.