NIH Strategic Plan for Disability Health Research

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is pleased to share the NIH Strategic Plan for Disability Health Research FY26-FY30.

This new plan provides a comprehensive roadmap to advance innovative, responsible research that promotes the health and well-being of Americans with disabilities.

NIH recognizes that disabled Americans have health needs and goals both related and unrelated to their disabilities. The plan outlines a person-centered approach that places individuals, not impairments, at the center of scientific inquiry. NIH will leverage the strengths of its Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs) to provide coordinated support for research that examines and addresses the effects of medical conditions, nonmedical factors, and their interaction on the health and well-being of Americans with disabilities.

The plan outlines strategic goals and objectives in four areas:

• Research
• Workforce
• Resources and Infrastructure
• Stewardship

In addition, four crosscutting themes identify important overarching considerations that intersect with multiple goals and objectives of the plan:

• Whole Person Health
• Inclusion of People with Disabilities in Research
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration
• Technology

The goals, objectives, and crosscutting themes supplement relevant ICO research areas and will guide NIH-wide disability health research for the next five years.

Moving forward, NIH will put this strategic plan into action in collaboration with a wide range of individuals and organizations with expertise in disability. Together, we will advance transformative research that addresses the health needs and goals of Americans with disabilities.