The NIA leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life.
[1] In 1974, under Public Law 93-296, Congress granted authority to form NIA to provide leadership in aging research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs relevant to aging and older people.
[4][5] Past directors from 1975–present [6] NIA's mission is to improve the health and well-being of older Americans through research, and specifically to: NIA sponsors research on aging through extramural[7] and intramural[8] programs.
The extramural program funds research and training at universities, hospitals, medical centers, and other public and private organizations nationwide.
Eliezer Masliah was appointed head of the National Institute on Aging's Division of Neuroscience in 2016.