Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
Dr. Courtney F. Aklin has been appointed director of the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), effective July 26, 2026. She previously served as Acting Director and Acting Scientific Director at NINR since April 2025 and has held various NIH leadership roles for over two decades.
As NINR director, Dr. Aklin will oversee the institute's annual budget of nearly $200 million, most of which supports extramural research across the United States. The institute's research focuses on addressing health challenges, improving care delivery, and supporting nursing science for patients and families at all life stages.
Dr. Aklin's NIH career spans more than 21 years in scientific, strategic, and executive leadership. Before her current roles at NINR, she was Deputy Director since September 2023, Acting Associate Deputy Director of NIH from December 2021 to September 2023, and held other senior advisory positions within NIH.
Her leadership experience and knowledge of NINR and NIH’s scientific priorities were recognized by NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya, M.D., Ph.D., who expressed confidence in her ability to lead the institute effectively.