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On this page:

• Who We Are
• What We Do
• How We Operate
• Resources for More Information
• For More Information

Who We Are

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is 1 of the 27 institutes and centers that make up the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH is one of eight agencies under the Public Health Service (PHS) in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

What We Do

NCCAM is dedicated to exploring complementary and alternative healing practices in the context of rigorous science, training complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) researchers, and disseminating authoritative information to the public and professionals.

Our four primary areas of focus are

• Research.
  We support clinical and basic science research projects in CAM by awarding grants across the country and around the world; we also design, study, and analyze clinical and laboratory-based studies on the NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland.
  
  
• Research training and career development.
  We award grants that provide training and career development opportunities for predoctoral, postdoctoral, and career researchers.
  
  
• Outreach.
  We sponsor conferences, educational programs, and exhibits; operate an information clearinghouse to answer inquiries and requests for information; provide a Web site and printed publications; and hold town meetings at selected locations in the United States.
  
  
• Integration.
  To integrate scientifically proven CAM practices into conventional medicine, we announce published research results; study ways to integrate evidence-based CAM practices into conventional medical practice; and support programs to develop models for incorporating CAM into the curriculum of medical, dental, and nursing schools.
  
  

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How We Operate

• NCCAM was established by Congress in 1998.
  
  
• NCCAM receives its funding from Congress. The appropriation for each fiscal year can be found at nccam.nih.gov/about/appropriations. NCCAM is organized into two divisions and eight offices. Descriptions of the divisions and offices can be found at nccam.nih.gov/about for the following:
  
  
  • Division of Extramural Research and Training (DERT)
    • Office of International Health Research
    • Office of Special Populations
    • Office of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs
  • Division of Intramural Research
  • Office of the Director
  • Executive Office
    • Office of Administrative Operations
  • Office of Communications and Public Liaison
  • Office of Science Policy and Operations
  • Office of Scientific Review
  
  
• We use a multi-level peer-review process for grant applications we receive. Scientists, practitioners, and members of the public who volunteer to serve as peer reviewers on our study sections provide valuable input in the evaluation of the grant applications.
  
  
• NCCAM receives advice and recommendations from the National Advisory Council for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
  
  
• NCCAM also receives advice and recommendations from Federal representatives that serve on the Transagency CAM Coordinating Committee.
  
  

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Resources for More Information

• The NCCAM Web site (nccam.nih.gov) includes publications, information for researchers, frequently asked questions, and links to other CAM-related resources.
  
  
• Databases located on the NCCAM Web site include: CAM on PubMed, a subset of the National Library of Medicine's PubMed, which provides access to complementary and alternative medicine journal citations; and CHID (the Combined Health Information Database), a reference tool to find patient education materials.
  
  
• The NCCAM Clearinghouse is the public point of contact for scientifically based information on CAM and for information about NCCAM.
  
  

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For More Information:

NCCAM Clearinghouse

The NCCAM Clearinghouse provides information on CAM and NCCAM, including publications and searches of Federal databases of scientific and medical literature. The Clearinghouse does not provide medical advice, treatment recommendations, or referrals to practitioners.

Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226
TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615
Web site: nccam.nih.gov
E-mail:

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged.

NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM.

NCCAM Publication No. D158
June 2002