The Council is made up of 27 members, selected from NIH Institutes and Centers (IC) Advisory Councils, representatives nominated by the Office of the Director program offices, and broad lay representation. Learn more about our members (roster).

The NIH Reform Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-482), passed by Congress in December 2006, and signed into law by the President in January 2007, established the Council of Councils. More information about the Council’s role is available at NIH Reauthorization and our charter

The Council advises the NIH Director on matters related to the policies and activities of the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI).

The Council also acts as an external advisory panel to the IC Directors during the “concept approval” stage of the NIH Roadmap initiative review process. The concept approval stage involves the consideration of a list of potential trans-NIH initiatives developed by the DPCPSI staff after receiving input from multiple sources.

DPCPSI staff provide information to the Council that may include deliverables, timetables, and projected costs for each initiative. Council recommendations are then considered by the DPCPSI Director and the IC Directors. 

For more information about how we work, see Council Operating Procedures.