Although answers may seem slow in coming, researchers are working hard to solve the painful riddle of IC. Some scientists receive funds from the Federal Government to help support their research, while others receive support from their employing institution, drug companies, or patient support associations.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), leads the Federal Government's research efforts on IC. Most studies funded by NIDDK result from unsolicited grant applications sent to NIH by scientists at universities and medical centers throughout the United States. Other NIDDK-funded studies result from solicitations issued to encourage increased research on a particular topic.

By law, all applications sent to NIH are first reviewed by non-Government experts in the field of the proposed research for scientific merit and feasibility before being reviewed by NIDDK's National Advisory Council. This council is made up of non-Government scientists, health professionals, and people who represent voluntary groups interested in the Institute's research. Approved applications are eligible for funding based on a rating of scientific merit, or priority score, assigned by the initial reviewers. Applications are usually funded in order of priority score; the best applications are funded first.

Largely because of special solicitations, NIDDK's investment in scientifically meritorious IC research across the country has grown considerably since 1987. The Institute now supports research that is looking at various aspects of IC, such as how the components of urine may injure the bladder and what possible role organisms identified by nonstandard methods may have in causing IC. In addition to funding research, NIDDK sponsors scientific workshops where investigators share the results of their studies and discuss future areas for investigation.

Database
An important part of NIDDK's IC research program has been the National IC Database Study, the first systematic, long-term look at a large number of people with IC. Data from this study are now being analyzed.

Clinical Treatment Group
In 1998, NIDDK initiated the IC Clinical Treatment Group, a project designed to develop and test new treatment strategies for patients with IC.