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Mission

The mission of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) is to promote, direct and support biomedical and behavioral research on the causes, consequences, treatment, and prevention of alcoholism and alcohol-related problems. The Institute supports its agenda by awarding research grants, contracts and training grants to colleges and universities nationwide. Important to the mission of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism is research designed to identify racial and ethnic disparities in the causes and consequences of alcohol-use disorders and to develop treatment and prevention strategies to ameliorate them.

The NIAAA special emphasis areas and proposed research initiatives plans comprise an overall strategy designed to make progress towards NIAAA’s vision for our future. The goal is a greater understanding of the biological, cultural, environmental, and ethnic factors that contribute to differences among populations in alcohol-related problems. An NIAAA priority is to devise effective methods for preventing and treating alcohol abuse and dependence as well as the alcohol-related consequences in high-risk individuals. Through this understanding, we will devise more effective prevention and treatment approaches that address ethnic and racial disparities in alcohol-related problems so that these disparities will no longer exist.

Interest in Diversity

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism is committed to improving the quality and quantity of alcohol research studying all populations. However, NIAAA recognizes that a deeper understanding of the issues that surround underserved populations is paramount in conducting effective research and aims to increase the representation of these populations in the biomedical research workforce through outreach, education and other programs that support opportunities for underrepresented populations. NIAAA concurs with the NIH leadership that the best science depends on a diverse pool of highly talented scientists from diverse backgrounds and aims to help the NIH ensure that the nation remains a global leader in the scientific discovery and innovation.

Diversity-Targeted Programs
Director's Statement
Dr. George F. Koob, PhD
Dr. George F. Koob, PhD
Director's Statement
NIAAA is committed to cultivating and maintaining a diverse, highly-skilled, multidisciplinary scientific workforce. NIAAA believes that encouraging the participation of individuals from underrepresented backgrounds to participate in our research will spark creative ideas that lead to innovation and scientific progress. In the twenty-first century, a diverse scientific workforce will be essential to effectively address the alcohol-related health needs of our increasingly diverse population. Through its training and career development programs, NIAAA supports broad-based, multidisciplinary training aimed at preparing students and early-career investigators to conduct innovative basic, clinical, and population research related to the Institute’s mission. NIAAA also supports an array of training and career development opportunities aimed at enhancing the pool of investigators from underrepresented groups pursuing alcohol research at all career stages, from high school students to senior-level faculty.