National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) NIAID conducts and supports basic and applied research to better understand, treat, and ultimately prevent infectious, immunologic, and allergic diseases. For more than 60 years, NIAID research has led to new therapies, vaccines, diagnostic tests, and other technologies that have improved the health of millions of people in the United States and around the world. Our scientists study all aspects of infectious diseases from bench to bedside. With the help of support and administrative staff, they work to find ever better methods of disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.