The mission of NINDS is to reduce the burden of neurological disease - a burden borne by every age group, by every segment of society, by people all over the world. To support this mission, NINDS:

• Conducts, fosters, coordinates, and guides research on the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of neurological disorders and stroke, and supports basic research in related scientific areas.
• Provides grants-in-aid to public and private institutions and individuals in fields related to its areas of interest, including research project, program project, and research center grants.
• Operates a program of contracts for the funding of research and research support efforts in selected areas of institute need.
• Provides individual and institutional fellowships to increase scientific expertise in neurological fields.
• Conducts a diversified program of intramural and collaborative research in its own laboratories, branches, and clinics.
• Collects and disseminates research information related to neurological disorders.