New National Institute of Nutrition (NIN)2  Leads research, coordination, training, outreach on foundational and cross-cutting topics in nutrition and health
Additive focus areas and funding to existing NIH and other federal nutrition research efforts
Harmonizes and leverages other nutrition and related research at NIH and other agencies and departments
Strong partner to inform, collaborate on, and help address joint research needs of other departments and agencies, e.g., USDA, FDA, CDC, DoD, VA, USAID, and CMS
Promotes and supports training of a diverse 21st century nutrition research workforce
Guides and supports training of health care professionals for clinical care and basic and translational science in nutrition
Translates and disseminates sound nutrition science findings to the public
Fosters innovative external collaborations and partnerships  Strong leadership, robust infrastructure, and investment
Can better address nutrition science that is cross-cutting rather than disease specific
Includes extramural and intramural research, training, and outreach activities
A long-term structure, leading to unanticipated positive returns, outlasting shorter-term options, and evolving appropriately with changing science and needs of the US population
Meaningful external advisory mechanism to solicit diverse relevant insights and input
Strong return on investment, in line with or exceeding other NIH research investments  Requires new, additive appropriations to prevent reductions in any ongoing NIH or other federal nutrition research
Could increase silo-ing of nutrition research
Would need to navigate potentially entrenched cultures and perspectives around NIN nutrition research
Without new appropriations, could increase competition for resources  Congress establishes a new NIN by statute, with dedicated appropriations and updating the current cap on the number of NIH institutes and centers
Congressional inquiry and/or appropriations could explore the current status of federal nutrition research and potential options including an NIN