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What Is the Difference Between an NIH Institute, Center, or Office’s Highlighted Topic and General Interest Area?
NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs) communicate their research priorities through a variety of channels. For example, general interest areas may be discussed on an ICOs’ profile page or they may be expressed through a specific Highlighted Topic. In any case, the ICO may fund research in a wide range of scientific areas within their mission, whether or not they are explicitly identified as a particular Highlighted Topic.
The table below offers a general framework for how an ICO may distinguish between a general interest area and a Highlighted Topic. In practice, there may be overlap between the two based on the ICO’s priorities at the time. Applicants are encouraged to engage with ICO staff to better understand how their research aligns with current priorities (see tips that follow the table).
| General Interest Area | Highlighted Topic |
| Represents the full breadth of an ICO’s scientific mission and portfolio | Represents a targeted subset of an ICO’s broader research interests |
| Broad, enduring description of research areas the ICO supports | Focused, time-sensitive priority area identified by the ICO |
| Provides general insights on scientific fit | Often linked with emerging areas of science or strategic initiatives |
| High-level and encompassing multiple subfields | More specific and often narrowly defined in scope |
| Remains relatively stable over time | Can change based on evolving scientific or public health needs |
| Helps applicants determine overall alignment with the ICO | Signals areas where additional attention or emphasis may be placed |
Tips for Navigating ICO Priorities
- Use general interest areas to assess overall alignment with an ICO’s mission, recognizing that particular research areas may be covered by multiple ICOs. The Additional Information by Funding Category section of an ICO’s profile page provides insight into the interest areas for a category of funding like conferences and meetings, career development, research education, training, small business, and more.
- Treat Highlighted Topics as indicators of more targeted or time-sensitive interests within that broader scope.
- Identify and reach out to relevant NIH program officers (or other contacts) listed on ICO profile pages or Highlighted Topics to discuss fit, clarify priorities, and get guidance on your research direction.
- For many NIH funding opportunities, consider including a PHS Assignment Request Form in your application to request assignment to a specific ICO and/or study section. NIH staff will balance these requests with many other factors when making appropriate ICO and review group assignments. Keep in mind that you do not apply to a Highlighted Topic
- Review ICO strategic plans to better understand research that falls within their mission
- Use available tools like NIH RePORTER to explore the types of projects a particular ICO funds.
- Regularly check ICO profile pages and Highlighted Topics, as priorities may evolve over time.
Additional Resources:
- Frequently Asked Questions: Highlighted Topics
- PHS Assignment Information
- NIH Extramural Nexus: An Update on Modernizing the NIH Grants and Funding Site: Helping the Research Community Quickly and Easily Understand NIH Funding Policies, Processes, and Activities
- NIH Extramural Nexus: Streamlined Way to Learn About NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices: Profile Pages
- NIH Extramural Nexus So, I’m Interested in a Highlighted Topic…What Do I Do Now?
- NIH Extramural Nexus: Introducing Highlighted Topics: A Centralized and Simple Resource to Learn About Research Areas of Interest to NIH