Nutrition Research Committees & Collaborations

Many of the following committees and task forces provided essential support in the development of the Strategic Plan for NIH Nutrition Research, including the Senior Leadership Group for ONR. Several groups are ongoing and are engaged in nutrition research-related activities at NIH and across the federal government. These groups facilitate collaboration through the sharing of resources and expertise, in addition to enhancing communication and fostering opportunities for the NIH and others in the federal government nutrition science community. 

Nutrition Research Coordinating Committee (NRCC) – The NIH NRCC was established by the NIH Director’s Office in 1975 to improve the coordination of nutrition research activities and enhance communication between those working in nutrition research-related areas across the NIH and the federal government. Today, it provides an open forum for members to discuss current and future nutrition research challenges and opportunities. Committee participants are involved in many different nutrition-related research efforts, activities, working groups and committees inside and outside the federal government. Membership is open to any federal agency staff person interested in carrying out NIH-wide or federal government-wide nutrition-related research efforts.

Interagency Committee on Human Nutrition Research (ICHNR) – Created in 1983, the ICHNR is charged with improving the planning, coordination, and communication among federal agencies engaged in nutrition research and aims to increase the overall effectiveness and productivity of federally supported or conducted human nutrition research. The ICHNR is co-chaired by the USDA Chief Scientist/Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics, along with the HHS Assistant Secretary for Health. In comparison to the NRCC, the ICHNR is made up of appointed members who are authorized to represent their respective agencies from across the federal government. The Director of ONR is a Co-Executive Secretary of the committee for HHS and ONR provides the primary administrative support to the committee.

Obesity Research Task Force (ORTF) - The NIH ORTF was formed in 2003 to coordinate efforts and accelerate progress in obesity research across NIH. Since its inception, the ORTF has provided the research community a platform to exchange information on a broad spectrum of NIH-sponsored obesity-related research, including molecular, genetic, behavioral, environmental, clinical, and epidemiologic studies. The ORTF is co-chaired by the Directors of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK); the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI); and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). The ONR Director is a member of the ORTF Senior Leadership Group. Members of the ORTF include representatives from many other NIH institutes, centers and offices.