Location Information

Meeting Venue:

National Institutes of Health (NIH) Main Campus
The Natcher Conference Center Auditorium (Building 45)
Ruth L. Kirschstein Auditorium
45 Center Drive
Bethesda, MD 20894

Getting to NIH Main Campus

You will access the NIH main campus via the Gateway Center at 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland. Visitors are strongly encouraged to use public transportation to get to campus.

Public Transit- Metro:
Visitors can take the Red Line Shady Grove Metrorail to the Medical Center Metro stop which is conveniently located outside the NIH visitor center. For information visit the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority "Metro" site.

Personal Vehicle- Parking:
If you drive a personal vehicle, we recommend parking in the primary visitor parking lot, MLP-11, a 342-space, multi-level underground parking garage outside of the NIH perimeter that does not require vehicle inspection. The cost to park in MLP-11 is $2 per hour for the first three hours, $12 maximum for the entire day. If you choose to use a visitor lot on campus instead your vehicle will be inspected. More information on visitor parking at NIH can be found here.

Security at the NIH Gateway Center

Security screening is required for access to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) campus. Please allow 1 hour extra to go through security after arriving on the NIH campus.

The NIH has developed a new system for pre-clearing attendees called the Visitor Management Portal (VMP). If you have registered to attend this meeting, you will receive an email from the NIH to provide them with additional information. This form is optional for US citizens and green card holders (but highly encouraged) and mandatory for non-US citizens.
- You will receive an email from NIH in February 2025 with a link to enter your information into the portal. Please complete this form ASAP. If not completed at least 10 days prior to the meeting, you may be denied access to the NIH Campus.
- In addition, this form will only be sent to non-NIH attendees. If you have an NIH Badge, please disregard this information.
As stated above, all non-U.S. person visitors must pre-register prior to visiting the NIH Main Campus. Failure to pre-register in time could put the visit at risk of being denied.
Non-U.S. person visitors should bring their unexpired foreign passport when entering the facility and be prepared to provide the guard with U.S.-issued visa information during the check-in process.
- If applicable. Non-U.S. Person Visitors from countries designated as State Sponsors of Terrorism must also request pre-approval by submitting a Foreign Visitor Data Request Form.
Regardless of whether you completed the VMP, all visitors must provide a government-issued ID, such as a driver's license or passport, at the Gateway Center to gain access to the NIH Campus. An adult must accompany visitors under 16 years of age.
NIH security may ask you for the purpose of your visit and for a copy of an invitation to the NIH Campus. Please print and bring a copy of your meeting registration confirmation to present to NIH Security if they request it.
All visitors should be prepared to submit to a personal inspection prior to entering the campus. These inspections may be conducted with a handheld monitoring device, a metal detector and by visible inspection. Additionally, your personal belongings may be inspected and passed through an x-ray machine.
Federal law prohibits the following items on Federal property: firearms, explosives, archery equipment, dangerous weapons, knives with blades over 2½ inches, alcoholic beverages, open containers of alcohol, and marijuana (cannabis).
Visitor passes must be prominently displayed at all times while on the NIH campus.
Detailed information on Security at the NIH can be found here.

Lunch

The cafeteria at the Natcher Conference Center is now open. Due to staffing shortages, there may be long lines, if you would rather not wait in line, there are a few additional cafeterias available within a short walk. Please visit this page to learn more.

Getting to the Natcher Conference Center Auditorium (Building 45)

The Natcher Auditorium (Building 45) is approximately a half a mile walk from the Gateway Center security checkpoint. Visitors can download the NIHCC TakeMeThere App to view a virtual map with the auditorium’s location. The building’s main entrance is also one stop from the Gateway Center on the free NIH Campus Shuttle via the Campus Limited/Purple Line. Visit here for a live bus map and arrival times.