The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) supports research on the pulmonary, hematologic, and cardiac complications of infection with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) and research designed to maximize the safety and adequacy of the nation's blood supply. The NHLBI supports AIDS-related research through its extramural and intramural programs.

Since 1983, the NHLBI has vigorously pursued extramural support of AIDS-related research in basic, applied, and clinical areas, sponsoring investigator-initiated grants as well as many institute-initiated programs funded as grants and contracts. Support for the NHLBI AIDS program has grown from two thousand dollars in 1983 to its current level of 63.602 million dollars for fiscal year 1998. For 1998, support was provided for 147 grants and 23 contracts were made with more than 30 institutions. Over these years, 30 initiatives (Requests for Applications--RFAs, and Requests for Proposals--RFPs) have been developed and funded.

Figure 1