Division of Nutrition

The Division of Nutrition is one of two divisions within the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s (NIFA) Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition. The division administers Federal funding designed to advance agricultural research, education, Extension, and innovation focused on nutrition. The division supports human nutrition programs that strengthen integrated approaches to encouraging healthy choices, families, and outcomes and that enhance connections with American’s farmers. 

NIFA’s nutrition efforts are grounded in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, and other Federal food and nutrition guidelines and priorities. The division employs the peer review process for competitive grant programs, where panels comprised of scientists and other subject matter experts review proposals, and is actively recruiting peer-reviewers. In partnership with other Federal science agencies, the division also contributes to science policy decision-making to improve nutrition.  

 Division Staff 

• Dr. Deirdra Chester, Deputy Director, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition
• Dr. Jodi Williams, Division Director of Nutrition
• Dr. Sheila Fleischhacker, National Science Liaison – Nutrition and Food Safety
• Dr. Carinthia Cherry, National Program Leader
• Dr. Kristopher Grimes, National Program Leader
• Dr. Pascale Jean, National Program Leader
• Dr. Lydia Kaume, National Program Leader
• Dr. Mallory Koening, National Program Leader and NIFA’s Science Coordinator-in-Training
• Ryan Kornegay, Program Specialist
• Yamilis Ocasio, Biological Science Specialist
• Amanda Halls, Biological Science Specialist 

Division Goals

• Using innovative transdisciplinary solutions to promote healthy eating patterns and behaviors to tackle the “whole picture” regarding underlying factors and most promising strategies.
• Harnessing a comprehensive research agenda to build a more resilient and nourishing food system, including:
  • Production (e.g. agroecology, community and home food gardening, urban agriculture, farmers’ markets, regional food systems). Preparation (e.g. ensuring sufficient, safe, and nutritious food preparation for everyone including disaster preparedness).
  • Promotion (e.g. fostering a circular economy in rural areas by promoting local and regional food supply chains).
  • Consumption (e.g. enabling positive healthy eating behavior to decrease the health and financial burden of diet-related, noncommunicable diseases and health disparities).
  • Improve the nutritional quality of Federal nutrition safety net.
  • Disposal (e.g. limit food loss and waste while ensuring food safety).
• Integrating with efforts to reduce weather-related risks and impacts, as well as improve community, and national resilience using transformative discoveries, education, and engagement.
• Engaging individual, family, and community agency and capacity building. 

Relevant NIFA Programs

• Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI)
  • Foundational and Applied Science Program
    • Food Safety, Nutrition, and Health (FSNH) program area
      • A1343 Food and Human Health
      • A1344 Diet, Nutrition, and the Prevention of Chronic Diseases
      • A1364 Innovations in Food Manufacturing Technologies
  • Crosscutting Programs
    • A1181 Agricultural Biosecurity
    • A1402 Agricultural Microbiomes in Plant Systems and Natural Resources
    • A1511 Nanotechnology for Agricultural and Food Systems
    • A1541 Data Science for Food and Agricultural Systems (DSFAS)
    • A1701 Critical Agricultural Research and Extension (CARE)
    • A1712 Rapid Response to Weather Events Across Food and Agricultural Systems
    • A1713 Rapid Response to Emerging and Re-emerging Pest and Disease Events Across Food and Agricultural Systems
    • A1811 Commodity Board Co-Funding Topics
  • Education and Workforce Development
    • A7101 Predoctoral Fellowships
    • A7201 Postdoctoral Fellowships
    • A7401 Research and Extension Experiences for Undergraduates
    • A7501 Professional Development for Agricultural Literacy
    • A7601 Agricultural Workforce Training Grants
    • A7801 Food and Agricultural Non-formal Education
• A9201 Strengthening Agricultural Systems (SAS)
• Non-AFRI Programs
  • Community Food Projects (CFP) Competitive Grants Program
  • Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP)
  • Equipment Grants
  • Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP)
  • Food and Agriculture Service Learning Program (FALSP)
  • Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer Programs (SBIR/STTR)
  • WIC Workforce Development Initiative (WICWD)

Relevant NIFA Topic Pages

• Advanced Food Manufacturing
• Community Nutrition
• Food and Nutrition Security
• Food Loss and Waste
• Food Products
• Food Safety
• Local and Regional Food Systems
• Nutrition and Food Systems
• Nutrition Education
• Prevention of Diet-Related Diseases and Disparities
• The Science of Food

Relevant Resources

• Upcoming Events
• Funding Opportunities
• Competitive Grants Flowchart
• NIFA Grant Resources
• NIFA Policy Guide