The Friends of NICHD is an independent coalition of more than 100 organizations formed in the mid-1980s to support the important role of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).
Member organizations represent scientists, physicians, health care providers, patients and parents concerned with the health and welfare of women, children, families and people with disabilities. Members do not pay a fee to join or belong.
The primary mission of the Friends of NICHD is to advocate on behalf of the Institute during the annual congressional appropriations and budget processes. The Friends also promote NICHD-funded research activities and advances by sponsoring briefings for congressional staff, mailings to Members of Congress and staff, drafting fact sheets, facilitating tours of the Institute and research facilities for Congressional staff, and submitting annual testimony to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees.
The Friends of NICHD Executive Committee manages the coalition. Standing members of the Executive Committee are the American Psychological Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, Consortium of Social Science Associations, Society for Research in Child Development, Population Association of America/Association of Population Centers, March of Dimes, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the Association of University Centers on Disabilities. Rotating members of the Executive Committee serve for two-year terms; current rotating members include the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Endocrine Society, Society for Research on Women’s Health, and Cribs for Kids.
The Friends of NICHD co-chairs maintain an active distribution list to inform the Friends about key science policy issues and to share important announcements about NICHD and its research programs. At least twice a year, the Friends meet with the NICHD director and other NICHD staff to discuss issues of mutual concern. The Friends are invited to attend and observe the public sessions of the NICHD Advisory Council meetings.