NIAMS National Institute of Arthritis and

Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

About Our Strategic Plan

NIAMS MISSION

The NIAMS mission is to support research into 

the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis

and musculoskeletal and skin diseases; training 

of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this 

research; and dissemination of information on 

research progress in these diseases.

STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL

The goal of the plan is to advance and 

accelerate research into the causes, treatment,

and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal

and skin diseases. The ultimate goal of these 

efforts is to develop patient-centered, 

personalized ways to improve outcomes and 

thereby “turn discovery into health.”

CROSS-CUTTING THEMES 

AND RESEARCH AREAS 

Many scientific challenges and opportunities 

within the NIAMS mission are not unique to 

any one field, disease, or scientific or clinical 

discipline. Rather, they transcend disease- and 

tissue-specific boundaries, have broad impact 

across many diseases and conditions, and can 

therefore serve as a framework to organize 

science across the assorted fields within the 

Institute’s purview. In addition to four crosscutting themes, the Institute’s research portfolio 

includes five core areas: Systemic Rheumatic 

and Autoimmune Diseases; Skin Biology and 

Diseases; Bone Biology and Diseases; 

Muscle Biology and Diseases; and Joint Biology, 

Diseases, and Orthopaedics.

NIAMS 

MISSION 

Shared mechanisms

in health and 

among diseases 

Patient-centric 

approaches 

to health and 

disease

Health and 

disease 

in diverse 

populations

Precision medicine 

for arthritis and 

musculoskeletal 

and skin diseases 
SYSTEMIC RHEUMATIC AND 

AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES RESEARCH

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

• GENETICS, FUNCTIONAL

GENOMICS, AND EPIGENETICS

• MECHANISMS OF

RHEUMATIC DISEASES

• TARGET ORGAN DAMAGE

• PRECLINICAL AND

TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH

• CLINICAL RESEARCH

• BEHAVIORAL AND

BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL RESEARCH

PROGRAM SUMMARY

NIAMS Systemic Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases programs 

address basic, translational, and clinical research, including 

clinical trials and observational and mechanistic studies, focused 

on immune-mediated arthritis and autoimmune-related acute 

and chronic disorders in adults and children. Many of these 

diseases disproportionately affect women and groups historically

underrepresented in biomedical research. While the underlying 

causes for these differences are largely unknown, progress is 

occurring in understanding them and translating that knowledge 

into effective treatments. The results of NIAMS-funded research 

have paved the way for biologic therapies for systemic rheumatic

and autoimmune diseases. These therapies have improved 

outcomes and quality of life for many patients, highlighting the 

importance of fundamental research in improving health. 

Going forward, NIAMS will continue to build on this progress 

to further understanding of systemic rheumatic and autoimmune 

diseases and to develop even more effective and personalized 

treatment approaches.

• Arthritis Biology Program

• Rheumatic Diseases Integrative Biology Research Program

• Scleroderma, Fibrosis, and Autoinflammatory Disease Program

• Systemic Autoimmune Disease Biology Program

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT

Accelerating Medicines Partnership (AMP) in rheumatoid 

arthritis and lupus

NIAMS is participating in the AMP in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) 

and lupus, one component of a public private partnership among 

NIH, the Foundation for the NIH, biopharmaceutical companies, 

and nonprofit organizations. The network is adapting cutting-edge, 

high-throughput technologies to analyze single immune and 

tissue cells from organs affected by RA and lupus. Through the 

AMP, researchers are identifying and defining shared and diseasespecific biological pathways that scientists can study to identify 

relevant drug targets for treating autoimmune diseases. 

For More information

Read the full NIAMS Strategic Plan: 

https://www.niams.nih.gov/about-niams/

strategic-plan-fiscal-years-2020-2024

NIAMS Website: www.niams.nih.gov

Contact NIAMS: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov
NIAMS National Institute of Arthritis and

Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

About Our Strategic Plan

NIAMS MISSION

The NIAMS mission is to support research into 

the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis 

and musculoskeletal and skin diseases; training 

of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this 

research; and dissemination of information on 

research progress in these diseases.

STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL

The goal of the plan is to advance and 

accelerate research into the causes, treatment, 

and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal 

and skin diseases. The ultimate goal of these 

efforts is to develop patient-centered, 

personalized ways to improve outcomes and 

thereby “turn discovery into health.”

CROSS-CUTTING THEMES 

AND RESEARCH AREAS 

Many scientific challenges and opportunities 

within the NIAMS mission are not unique to 

any one field, disease, or scientific or clinical 

discipline. Rather, they transcend disease- and 

tissue-specific boundaries, have broad impact 

across many diseases and conditions, and can 

therefore serve as a framework to organize 

science across the assorted fields within the 

Institute’s purview. In addition to four crosscutting themes, the Institute’s research portfolio 

includes five core areas: Systemic Rheumatic 

and Autoimmune Diseases; Skin Biology and 

Diseases; Bone Biology and Diseases; 

Muscle Biology and Diseases; and Joint Biology, 

Diseases, and Orthopaedics.

NIAMS 

MISSION 

Shared mechanisms

in health and 

among diseases 

Patient-centric 

approaches 

to health and 

disease

Health and 

disease 

in diverse 

populations

Precision medicine 

for arthritis and 

musculoskeletal 

and skin diseases 
SKIN BIOLOGY AND DISEASES 

RESEARCH

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

• TRANSDISCIPLINARY BASIC STUDIES

• SKIN AS A BARRIER

• SKIN AS AN IMMUNE, SENSORY,

AND ENDOCRINE ORGAN

• SKIN APPENDAGES

• GENETICS OF SKIN DISEASES

• REGENERATIVE MEDICINE

• SKIN MODEL SYSTEMS

• THERAPY DEVELOPMENT

• CLINICAL RESEARCH

• BEHAVIORAL AND

BIOPSYCHOSOCIAL RESEARCH

PROGRAM SUMMARY

NIAMS Skin Biology and Diseases programs fund basic, 

translational, and clinical research in skin, including both common 

and rare skin diseases. These programs include investigations of 

the basic molecular, cellular, and developmental biology of skin, 

as well as studies of skin as an immune, sensory, endocrine, 

and metabolic organ. Research on wound healing, autoimmunity, 

inflammation, heritable diseases, and birth defects is also 

included, with a focus on translating fundamental research findings 

into novel diagnostic tools, effective therapeutics, and efficient 

cost-saving disease management. Understanding skin biology 

in the context of whole-body physiology is a new horizon. Skin 

is an integral part of the human body, and skin function and 

skin diseases are influenced by internal and external environments. 

Increasing evidence suggests that skin homeostasis is modulated 

by the immune, nervous, and endocrine systems, as well as by 

circadian rhythms and resident microbial flora. Studying 

interactions between skin and other organs is increasingly 

important for advancing knowledge of skin health and disease 

and thus calls for multidisciplinary collaborations to invigorate 

and enrich the skin research field

• Epidermis, Dermis and Skin Senses Program

• Skin Immunology and Diseases, Skin Microbiome Program

• Skin Repair, Pigmentation and Appendages, Vasculature/

Lymphatic Systems Program

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT

Understanding Co-occurring Conditions in Psoriasis

Certain chronic diseases seem to occur together, and caring for 

patients with multiple health issues is challenging. For example, 

psoriasis is associated with an increased risk of developing 

conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, 

and psoriatic arthritis. NIAMS supports a varied portfolio of 

research on co-occurring conditions, including a translational 

research center using new technologies and clinical and laboratory 

data to predict which psoriasis patients are most likely to develop 

comorbidities and how best to treat them.

For More information

Read the full NIAMS Strategic Plan: 

https://www.niams.nih.gov/about-niams/

strategic-plan-fiscal-years-2020-2024

NIAMS Website: www.niams.nih.gov

Contact NIAMS: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov 
NIAMS National Institute of Arthritis and

Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

About Our Strategic Plan

NIAMS MISSION

The NIAMS mission is to support research into 

the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis

and musculoskeletal and skin diseases; training 

of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this 

research; and dissemination of information on 

research progress in these diseases.

STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL

The goal of the plan is to advance and 

accelerate research into the causes, treatment,

and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal

and skin diseases. The ultimate goal of these 

efforts is to develop patient-centered, 

personalized ways to improve outcomes and 

thereby “turn discovery into health.”

CROSS-CUTTING THEMES 

AND RESEARCH AREAS

Many scientific challenges and opportunities 

within the NIAMS mission are not unique to 

any one field, disease, or scientific or clinical 

discipline. Rather, they transcend disease- and 

tissue-specific boundaries, have broad impact 

across many diseases and conditions, and can 

therefore serve as a framework to organize 

science across the assorted fields within the 

Institute’s purview. In addition to four crosscutting themes, the Institute’s research portfolio 

includes five core areas: Systemic Rheumatic 

and Autoimmune Diseases; Skin Biology and 

Diseases; Bone Biology and Diseases; 

Muscle Biology and Diseases; and Joint Biology, 

Diseases, and Orthopaedics.

NIAMS 

MISSION 

Shared mechanisms

in health and 

among diseases 

Patient-centric 

approaches 

to health and 

disease

Health and 

disease 

in diverse 

populations

Precision medicine 

for arthritis and 

musculoskeletal 

and skin diseases 
BONE BIOLOGY AND DISEASES 

RESEARCH

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

• BONE BIOLOGY, PHYSIOLOGY,

AND DEVELOPMENT

• INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY

• SKELETAL DEVELOPMENT

AND HOMEOSTASIS

• GENETICS, GENOMICS, AND

EPIGENETICS OF BONE MASS

AND FRACTURE RISK

• MECHANISMS OF BONE DISEASES:

PRECLINICAL AND

TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH

• THERAPEUTIC MECHANISMS

• IMAGING AND BIOMARKERS OF

BONE QUALITY AND FRACTURE RISK

• CLINICAL RESEARCH FOR RARE

BONE DISEASES

• CLINICAL RESEARCH FOR

OSTEOPOROSIS

PROGRAM SUMMARY

NIAMS supports studies on the control of bone remodeling 

(bone formation, bone resorption) and mineralization, as well 

as the effects of hormones, growth factors, and cytokines on 

bone cells. The Institute has overseen several large epidemiologic 

cohorts to characterize the natural history of osteoporosis and 

identify genetic and environmental risk factors that contribute 

to fracture. NIAMS also supports clinical trials to test the 

effectiveness of interventions to prevent fractures associated 

with osteoporosis and other metabolic bone diseases. In addition, 

the NIAMS Bone Biology and Diseases programs support 

research on the causes, pathophysiology, and treatment of less 

common bone diseases, such as osteogenesis imperfecta and 

Paget’s disease of bone, as well as a wide range of developmental 

disorders of the skeleton, many of which are genetic.

• Bone Biology, Metabolic Bone Disorders, and

Osteoporosis Program

• Clinical, Integrative Physiology, and Rare Diseases

of Bone Program

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT

NIH Pathways to Prevention Workshop

In October 2018, NIAMS, the National Institute on Aging, and 

the NIH Office of Disease Prevention hosted a Pathways to 

Prevention Workshop on the Appropriate Use of Drug Therapies 

for Osteoporotic Fracture Prevention to identify research gaps 

and suggest focus areas that could move the field forward. 

Strategies for disseminating and implementing workshop 

findings are being developed by federal agencies to improve 

public health in FY 2020 and beyond. 

For More information

Read the full NIAMS Strategic Plan:

https://www.niams.nih.gov/about-niams/

strategic-plan-fiscal-years-2020-2024

NIAMS Website: www.niams.nih.gov 

Contact NIAMS: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov 
NIAMS National Institute of Arthritis and

Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

About Our Strategic Plan

NIAMS MISSION

The NIAMS mission is to support research into 

the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis

and musculoskeletal and skin diseases; training 

of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this 

research; and dissemination of information on 

research progress in these diseases.

STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL

The goal of the plan is to advance and 

accelerate research into the causes, treatment,

and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal

and skin diseases. The ultimate goal of these 

efforts is to develop patient-centered, 

personalized ways to improve outcomes and 

thereby “turn discovery into health.”

CROSS-CUTTING THEMES 

AND RESEARCH AREAS 

Many scientific challenges and opportunities 

within the NIAMS mission are not unique to 

any one field, disease, or scientific or clinical 

discipline. Rather, they transcend disease- and 

tissue-specific boundaries, have broad impact 

across many diseases and conditions, and can 

therefore serve as a framework to organize 

science across the assorted fields within the 

Institute’s purview. In addition to four crosscutting themes, the Institute’s research portfolio 

includes five core areas: Systemic Rheumatic 

and Autoimmune Diseases; Skin Biology and 

Diseases; Bone Biology and Diseases; 

Muscle Biology and Diseases; and Joint Biology, 

Diseases, and Orthopaedics.

NIAMS 

MISSION 

Shared mechanisms

in health and 

among diseases 

Health and 

disease 

in diverse 

populations

Patient-centric 

approaches 

to health and 

disease

Precision medicine 

for arthritis and 

musculoskeletal 

and skin diseases 
MUSCLE BIOLOGY AND DISEASES 

RESEARCH

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

• MUSCLE DEVELOPMENT

AND REGENERATION

• MECHANISMS OF MUSCLE

FUNCTION AND DYSFUNCTION

• INTERVENTIONS FOR

MUSCLE HEALTH

• MUSCLE DISEASE CLINICAL

RESEARCH

PROGRAM SUMMARY

The NIAMS Muscle Biology and Diseases programs encourage 

basic, translational, and clinical research on the biology and 

disorders of skeletal muscle. Studies address questions about 

muscle developmental biology, growth, maintenance, and 

hypertrophy; physiology of muscle contraction; structural biology 

of the contractile apparatus; mechanisms of muscle diseases 

and disorders; biomarkers and outcome measures for clinical 

and preclinical studies; and natural histories of muscle conditions. 

These programs also support development and testing of 

therapies for muscle diseases and disorders, including cell and 

gene therapies, small molecule drugs and biological products, 

and exercise and other physical interventions to slow or 

prevent disease progression. Muscular dystrophies are an area 

of emphasis within the NIAMS muscle research portfolio.

• Muscle Development and Physiology Program

• Muscle Disorders and Therapies Program

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT

The Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Research Centers

NIH funds a broad portfolio of research into understanding and 

treating various forms of muscular dystrophy. One component 

is the Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Research Centers 

program, established in 2003. Fifteen years later, the NIH 

Institutes that support the Centers formed a Working Group 

of the NIAMS Advisory Council to identify best practices for 

achieving the Wellstone Centers’ goals. The report’s executive 

summary, including the working group recommendations, is 

available at https://wellstonemdcenters.nih.gov/sites/

wellstone/files/WellstoneCenterEvalRptExecSumm-508.pdf.

Action Plan for the Muscular Dystrophies

Research objectives for muscular dystrophies 

are presented in this NIAMS Strategic Plan 

where they overlap with objectives for other 

muscle diseases. A more specific and

detailed description of research objectives 

for muscular dystrophies is found in the 

Muscular Dystrophy Coordinating Committee’s 

Action Plan for the Muscular Dystrophies at 

https://www.mdcc.nih.gov/action-plan.

For More information

Read the full NIAMS Strategic Plan: 

https://www.niams.nih.gov/about-niams/

strategic-plan-fiscal-years-2020-2024

NIAMS Website: www.niams.nih.gov

Contact NIAMS: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov
NIAMS National Institute of Arthritis and

Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

About Our Strategic Plan

NIAMS MISSION

The NIAMS mission is to support research into 

the causes, treatment, and prevention of arthritis

and musculoskeletal and skin diseases; training 

of basic and clinical scientists to carry out this 

research; and dissemination of information on 

research progress in these diseases.

STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL

The goal of the plan is to advance and 

accelerate research into the causes, treatment,

and prevention of arthritis and musculoskeletal

and skin diseases. The ultimate goal of these 

efforts is to develop patient-centered, 

personalized ways to improve outcomes and 

thereby “turn discovery into health.”

CROSS-CUTTING THEMES 

AND RESEARCH AREAS

Many scientific challenges and opportunities 

within the NIAMS mission are not unique to 

any one field, disease, or scientific or clinical 

discipline. Rather, they transcend disease- and 

tissue-specific boundaries, have broad impact 

across many diseases and conditions, and can 

therefore serve as a framework to organize 

science across the assorted fields within the 

Institute’s purview. In addition to four crosscutting themes, the Institute’s research portfolio 

includes five core areas: Systemic Rheumatic 

and Autoimmune Diseases; Skin Biology and 

Diseases; Bone Biology and Diseases; 

Muscle Biology and Diseases; and Joint Biology, 

Diseases, and Orthopaedics.

NIAMS 

MISSION 

Shared mechanisms

in health and 

among diseases 

Patient-centric 

approaches 

to health and 

disease

Health and 

disease 

in diverse 

populations

Precision medicine 

for arthritis and 

musculoskeletal 

and skin diseases 
JOINT BIOLOGY, DISEASES, AND 

ORTHOPAEDICS RESEARCH

RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

• JOINT BIOLOGY, STRUCTURE,

AND FUNCTION

• REGENERATIVE MEDICINE

• PRECLINICAL AND

TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH

INTO JOINT REPLACEMENTS

• BIOCHEMICAL AND IMAGING

BIOMARKERS AND

COMPUTATIONAL MODELING

• CLINICAL RESEARCH

PROGRAM SUMMARY

NIAMS Joint Biology, Diseases, and Orthopaedics programs 

fund a broad spectrum of basic, translational, and clinical 

research centered on the interplay among the body’s muscles, 

bones, and connective tissues. These programs include research 

on the biology, structure, and function of joints and surrounding 

tissues and the application of this knowledge to a variety of 

diseases and conditions. Other programs fund tissue engineering 

and regenerative medicine to facilitate repair of damage caused 

by trauma to otherwise healthy tissue; molecular biology to 

understand the mechanisms of joint tissue formation and defects 

thereof; imaging to improve diagnosis and treatment of bone 

and joint disorders; and clinical research focused on treatment 

and prevention of acute and chronic bone and joint injuries and 

orthopaedic conditions, including musculoskeletal pain. 

• Cartilage and Connective Tissue Program

• Clinical Osteoarthritis and Diagnostic Imaging Program

• Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering and Regenerative

Medicine Program

• Orthopaedic Implant Science Program

• Orthopaedic Research Program

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHT

The Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI)

A free online resource available to any registered researcher, 

the OAI offers comprehensive datasets and images from nearly 

5,000 participants. The data can be examined to develop 

hypotheses about possible osteoarthritis biomarkers of disease 

onset and progression, test theories, describe the natural 

history of osteoarthritis, and investigate factors that influence

disease development and severity. For more information, visit 

https://www.niams.nih.gov/grants-funding/funded-research/

osteoarthritis-initiative.

For More information

Read the full NIAMS Strategic Plan:

https://www.niams.nih.gov/about-niams/

strategic-plan-fiscal-years-2020-2024

NIAMS Website: www.niams.nih.gov 

Contact NIAMS: NIAMSinfo@mail.nih.gov