The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is a medical research agency of the United States government. Its mission is to support improve health. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) conducts and supports research to better understand, treat, and prevent infectious, immunologic, and allergenic diseases. Investigators seeking support for their research interact with a variety of NIH staff from program officers to grant managers and contract officers. This session will discuss the structure of the NIH, the various people and their roles, and some of the key funding mechanisms. An important focus will be the role of mentors, both at NIH and within the broader academic community, in facilitating the funding process for Young investigators.