Sectors, Cross-Sectors, and Core and Specialty Programs

At a glance

The NIOSH Program Portfolio has been organized into Sector Programs that represent industrial sectors and seven health and safety Cross-Sector Programs organized around health outcomes based on the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA). NIOSH also has Core and Specialty Programs that represent core activities, mandates, special emphasis areas, and methodological approaches.

Program Information

aerial photo of fall harvest
Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing Program
This page describes the AgFF program's research priorities, accomplishments, and future direction.
Three multi-ethnic construction workers chatting
Construction Program
Learn about the Construction Program's research priorities, accomplishments, and future direction.
Doctors rush with patient, surgery and ready for procedure in hospital.
Healthcare and Social Assistance Program
This page describes the HCSA Program's research priorities, accomplishments, and future direction.
lathe operators wearing protective helmets
Manufacturing Program
Learn about the Manufacturing Program's research priorities, accomplishments, and future direction.
Haul truck loader and rotary drill at surface mine - Photo by NIOSH - Organiscak 2018 IC cover
Mining Program
This page describes the Mining Program's research priorities, accomplishments, and future direction.
a truck hauling materials
Oil and Gas Extraction Program
Learn about the Oil and Gas Program's research priorities, accomplishments, and future directions.
A picture of a fire engine.
Public Safety Program
This page describes the Program's research priorities, accomplishments, and future direction.
image of service workers
Services Program
Learn about the Services Program's priorities, accomplishments, and future direction.
A picture of a passenger plane and worker preparing for flight
Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities Program
This page describes the TWU Program's research priorities, accomplishments, and future direction.
Male grocery store attendant near produce section
Wholesale and Retail Trade Program
This page describes the WRT program's research priorities, accomplishments, and future direction.

A pregnant warehouse worker.
Cancer, Reproductive, Cardiovascular, and Other Chronic Disease Prevention Program
Describes the CRC program's research priorities, accomplishments, and future direction.
Worker wearing protective earmuffs
Hearing Loss Prevention Program
This page describes the HLP Program's research priorities, accomplishments, and future direction.
Factory worker working with dangerous materials.
Immune, Infectious and Dermal Disease Prevention Program
Describes the IID program's research priorities, accomplishments, and future direction.
Workers scanning and checking boxes
Musculoskeletal Health Program
This page describes the MUS program's research priorities, accomplishments, and future direction.
futuristic graphic of a pair of lungs
Respiratory Health Program
This program focuses on preventing adverse work-related respiratory diseases.
Construction site builder climbing on ladder and preparing to fix rooftop.
Traumatic Injury Prevention Program
Learn about the TIP program's research priorities, accomplishments, and future direction.
workers collaborating in an office setting
Healthy Work Design and Well-Being Program
This page describes the HWD program's priorities, accomplishments, and future direction.

A safety officer is writing on the checklist document during safety audit workplace at the factory.
Authoritative Recommendations Program
This page describes the activities of the NIOSH Authoritative Recommendations program.
Close-up of emergency equipment during rescue action
Emergency Preparedness and Response Program
Describes the EPR program's research priorities, accomplishments, and future direction.
worker conducts grinding task with a wetting method of combining water spray and sheet-wetting.
Engineering Controls Program
Describes the Engineer Controls Program's research priorities, accomplishments and future direction.
Measuring office lighting with lux meter.
Exposure Assessment Program
This page describes the EXA program's research priorities, accomplishments, and future direction.
Workers in factory setting wearing PPE, collaborating.
Occupational Health Equity Program
Learn about the OHE program's research priorities, accomplishments, and future direction.
collage photo of three workers using different types of PPE to ensure safety.
Personal Protective Technology Program
This page describes the PPT program's research priorities, accomplishments, and future direction.
A person in a suit shakes hands with a person in a hard hat.
Prevention through Design Program
Learn about the PtD program's research priorities, accomplishments, and future direction.
Three warehouse workers wearing yellow safety vests. In the background, a worker affixes a label to a box. In the foreground, a worker is talking to his manager.
Safe • Skilled • Ready Workforce Program
This page describes the SSRW program's research priorities, accomplishments, and future direction.
African-American woman and her employee talking and laughing while standing at door of the store.
Small Business Assistance Program
Learn about the Small Business Program's research priorities, accomplishments, and future direction.
Charts, graphs, magnifying glass
Surveillance Program
Learn more about the NIOSH Surveillance program's priorities, accomplishments, and future direction.
Photo of someone holding a senor device.
Direct Reading and Sensor Technologies (Center)
Conducts research, develops recommendations on using direct reading and sensing technologies in OSH.
Aerial image of a cargo ship loaded with containers with a row of cargo cranes in the background.
Center for Maritime Safety and Health Studies
Promotes safety and health for maritime workers.
NIOSH Center for Motor Vehicle Safety stacked graphic
Center for Motor Vehicle Safety
Conducts research and develops strategies to prevent work-related crashes and injuries.
Five hexagon images of varied robots on a green background.
Center for Occupational Robotics Research
Informs the development of standards and use of robots at work to enhance worker safety and health.
Exhausted African American businessman wearing a tan colored shirt is sleeping at his desk during a late night at work.
Center for Work and Fatigue Research
Aims to develop and implement effective solutions and strategies for managing workplace fatigue.
Silhouettes of people behind a bar graph.
Center for Workers’ Compensation Studies
Uses compensation data for workplace injury/illness prevention.
Group of smiling co-workers stacking hands
National Center for Productive Aging and Work
Promotes lifelong well-being for workers and encourages a productive aging workforce.
An EFTM image of the distribution nanoscale copper within cell structures of wood dust.
Nanotechnology Research Center
Conducts research and develops guidance on the OSH implications and applications of nanotechnology.
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Content Source
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
About This Page
Published: May 15, 2024
Updated: October 28, 2026

This page was last updated on this date. Updates may include minor edits, image changes, or other modifications to page content.

Reviewed: January 9, 2024

The information on this page was last reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy.