About Us

The Office of Portfolio Analysis (OPA) was established in 2011 as part of the Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI) within the Office of the NIH Director. Under the leadership of Acting Director Dr. Rebecca Meseroll, the OPA team supports data-driven decision making across the NIH by developing and refining analytics and tools that help manage research portfolios, identify high-performing areas of research, and uncover emerging scientific opportunities. Our interdisciplinary team of analysts, data scientists, software developers, and support professionals provides actionable insights and disseminates best practices in portfolio analysis, helping NIH leaders evaluate research investments and make informed decisions that advance the NIH mission.

Since OPA’s inception, the groundbreaking work of its analysts, data scientists, and software engineers has generated substantial interest both within and outside of NIH. As a result, OPA now provides methodological and analytical support for data-driven decision-making by NIH senior leadership, NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs), and extramural stakeholders (e.g., administrators in other federal agencies). OPA has also established collaborations with administrators, analysts, and researchers across the U.S. government and abroad, as well as those in academia and the private sector, and is now regularly publishing advances in NIH-focused science-of-science research in the peer-reviewed literature.

Other areas of focus include:

• Prepare and analyze data on NIH sponsored biomedical research to inform NIH-wide planning and coordination
• Serve as a resource for portfolio management at the programmatic level
• Employ Artificial intelligence based approaches to support analysis of the biomedical research landscape and inform data-driven decision-making by NIH leadership
• Develop and disseminate databases, analytical tools, methodologies and other resources to conduct assessments in support of portfolio analyses and priority setting in scientific areas of interest across NIH
• Research and develop new analytical tools, support systems, and specifications for new resources in coordination with other NIH organizations to enhance the management of the NIH's scientific portfolio
• Provide, in coordination with other NIH organizations, training on portfolio analysis tools, approaches, and methods

OPA works alongside the NIH Office of Evaluation, Performance and Reporting (OEPR), which coordinates and leads NIH efforts to better capture, communicate, and enhance the value of biomedical research through strategic planning, performance monitoring, evaluation, and reporting. The Office also coordinates with other OD offices to supplement and complement data-driven analytical efforts within their missions.

The OPA Strategic Plan FY 2021-2025 establishes how the office will accelerate biomedical research by supporting data-driven decision making.

Read our strategic plan