National Interagency Confederation for Biological Research facts for kids

The National Interagency Confederation for Biological Research (NICBR, pronounced "Nick Burr") is a special team-up of eight different parts of the U.S. government. They work together on biotechnology (using living things to make new products) and biodefense (protecting against biological threats). This partnership is based at the National Interagency Biodefense Campus (NIBC) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. NICBR was formed after the September 11 attacks and the 2001 anthrax attacks. Its goal was to get all parts of the government working together to stop bioterrorism (using germs or toxins to harm people). Before NICBR, the Department of Defense (DoD) mostly handled biological weapons, focusing on protecting soldiers.

How NICBR is Organized

NICBR brings together eight different agencies from four major U.S. government departments. These departments are like big branches of the government:

• Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
  • National Cancer Institute (NCI)
  • National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Department of Defense (DoD)
  • United States Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC)
  • Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC)
• Department of Agriculture (USDA)
  • Agricultural Research Service
• Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
  • National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC)

Most of NICBR's labs are located together at the National Interagency Biodefense Campus (NIBC) in Fort Detrick. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the only partner that has its own separate campus nearby.

The Fort Detrick Interagency Coordinating Committee (FDICC) is the main group that helps run NICBR. It's led by the commander of the U.S. Army garrison at Fort Detrick and includes representatives from all the NICBR partners.

Who Leads NICBR?

The FDICC meets twice a month to discuss important matters. It reports to a higher group called the Executive Steering Committee (ESC). The ESC is led by the commander of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and includes leaders from the other partner agencies.

Even higher up is the NICBR Board of Directors (BOD). This board includes the Army Surgeon General (who is currently the chair) and other top leaders from the partner agencies. Together, these groups help guide NICBR and make sure it's working towards its goals.

How Teams Work Together

To help with its work, the FDICC has several smaller groups and teams. These groups focus on different areas:

• Sustainment Subcommittee: Helps keep everything running smoothly.
• Financial and Business Planning Subcommittee: Manages money and plans for the future.
• Public Affairs and Community Relations Subcommittee (PACRS): Shares information with the public and community.
  • The Educational Outreach Working Group works with PACRS to teach people about NICBR's work.
• Security Subcommittee: Makes sure everything is safe and secure.
• Information Management & Information Technology Subcommittee: Handles computers and information systems.
• Safety & Occupational Health Subcommittee (SOH): Focuses on keeping everyone healthy and safe at work.
  • The Medical Directors Working Group works with SOH on health-related topics.
• Scientific Interaction Subcommittee (SIS): Helps scientists from different agencies work together.
  • The Select Agent Program Working Group works with SIS on handling dangerous biological materials safely.

The NICBR Partnership Office (NPO) helps coordinate all these groups. It supports the FDICC and makes sure that the plans and tasks given by the leadership are carried out.