42 U.S.C. § 284k — Clinical research

(a) In general. The Director of NIH must take action to support and expand NIH's involvement in clinical research. (b) Requirements. In doing this, the Director must: (1) consider the recommendations of the Division of Research Grants Clinical Research Study Group, and other recommendations for improving clinical research; and (2) create clinical research fellowship programs — both inside NIH and open to outside institutions — aimed specifically at medical and dental students, plus a continuing-education clinical research training program at NIH. (c) Support for the diverse needs of clinical research. Working with the Directors of NIH's Institutes, Centers, and Divisions, the Director must support and expand the resources available for all types of clinical research needs — inpatient, outpatient, and critical care. (d) Peer review. The Director must set up peer-review methods to evaluate applications for the awards and fellowships described in subsection (b)(2) and section 284l. This review must include people who are especially qualified to judge the merit of proposed clinical research training programs and research grants.