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 to 1½ hours extra to go through security after arriving on the NIH campus.

All visitors must provide a government-issued ID such as a driver's license or passport. Visitors under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
If you are not a United States Citizen or a Permanent Resident, you must bring your passport and/or VISA to enter the NIH Campus. All documents must be valid (i.e., an original document that has not expired).
NIH security may ask you 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.