About Research, Condition, and Disease Categorization
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recognizes the importance of transparency on how tax dollars are spent on biomedical research. In 2009, NIH initiated the Research, Condition, and Disease Categorization (RCDC) system, which uses sophisticated text mining technology in conjunction with NIH-wide definitions to categorize research for public reporting. This process promotes consistency in defining and reporting NIH categorical spending.
It is important to note that the NIH does not expressly budget by RCDC categories. Annual reports reflect spending changes due to new science, awarded research projects, and the NIH budget.
In addition, RCDC categories are not mutually exclusive, meaning that individual research projects can be reported in multiple categories. The RCDC categories reported do not represent an exhaustive list of the topics receiving NIH funding, but new categories are added based on reporting needs.
To see the list of categories the NIH currently reports, please go to the Categorical Spending Page.