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Defining Evidence for Programs to Ensure Nutrition for Development (DEPEND) Coordinating Center

Award Number: OT2OD043072
ORGANIZATION: OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR, NIH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: OTHER
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2027

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Defining Evidence for Programs to Ensure Nutrition for Development (DEPEND) Coordinating Center - Project Abstract Diet-related diseases are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States, and early childhood is a critical period for establishing dietary patterns that influence lifelong health. Because millions of children receive breakfast and lunch through public schools, improving the nutritional quality of school meals offers a powerful, scalable strategy for advancing child health, reducing nutrition- related disparities, and strengthening prevention across the lifespan. The Defining Evidence for Programs to Ensure Nutrition for Development (DEPEND) Coordinating Center will support a multi-partner effort, led by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to generate actionable evidence, implement practical improvements in school nutrition, expand nutrition education for health professionals, and promote broad uptake of effective approaches. RTI International will establish and lead the DEPEND Coordinating Center in partnership with NIH, federal agencies, public school systems, nutrition and education researchers, the Culinary Institute of America, All of Us Research Program partners, and other experts. The Coordinating Center will provide scientific, operational, administrative, engagement, communication, and dissemination leadership for the Consortium, drawing on experience coordinating large NIH-funded research initiatives. The DEPEND research plan will be developed collaboratively with NIH and Consortium partners and implemented through an integrated approach. By combining rigorous research with practical implementation support and audience-centered dissemination, DEPEND will generate evidence and resources to improve school nutrition, strengthen provider education, and support healthier trajectories for children across the United States.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $32,500,000 )
2026	2026	RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE	3040 CORNWALLIS RD	DURHAM	NC	27709	DURHAM	USA	Trans-NIH Research Support	000	1	8/26/2026	NEW	$32,500,000
														Subtotal = $32,500,000

Grand Total All Awards = $32,500,000

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Defining Evidence for Programs to Ensure Nutrition for Development (DEPEND) Coordinating Center

Award Number: OT2OD043072

ORGANIZATION: OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR, NIH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: OTHER

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 09/01/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 08/31/2027

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