National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Jay Bhattacharya, M.D., Ph.D., announced today the selection of Courtney F. Aklin, Ph.D., as the permanent director of NIH's National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), effective July 26, 2026. Dr. Aklin has served as the Acting Director and Acting Scientific Director at NINR since April 2025, leading its scientific and organizational strategy.
Dr. Bhattacharya praised her extensive experience, stating, "Nursing science plays a vital role in improving health outcomes for patients and families at every stage of life. Dr. Aklin has spent more than two decades at NIH, and for more than a year, has effectively led NINR as Acting Director. She knows this Institute, she knows its people, and she knows the science. I'm confident she will be an outstanding director for NINR."
In her new role, Dr. Aklin will manage NINR's annual budget of nearly $200 million, primarily supporting extramural research across the United States. The Institute focuses on rigorous, solutions-oriented research to address health challenges, improve care delivery, and inform practice, while also investing in training the next generation of nurse scientists.
With over 21 years of scientific and leadership experience at NIH, Dr. Aklin previously served as NINR Deputy Director and held senior advisory roles within the Immediate Office of the Director. Her career includes advancing biomedical research and strengthening scientific organizations, with prior work at the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institute on Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and National Institute of Mental Health.