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Biomedical Citizen Science

Citizen science is a collaborative approach to research that involves the public, not just as subjects but as direct collaborators and research partners. This field encompasses all research that involves public participation in the scientific process to increase knowledge and understanding.  Members of the public may be in involved in any part of the research process, from data collection, analysis, and results interpretation to developing creative approaches to solve important problems.  These partnerships, through mutual interest and meaningful contributions, are able to accelerate scientific discovery, technological development, and innovation.

Citizen science and similar approaches to research are part of the broader field of open innovation, where different groups work together in non-traditional, collaborative ways to solve important societal problems.

The NIH supports many citizen science projects and other open innovation activities across all institutes and centers.

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