The UNC Nutrition Research Institute is a center for precision nutrition training. Our faculty mentor doctoral students, develop online nutrition education courses, and chair or present workshops and symposia in specialized areas of study. Our goal is to provide the most up-to-date information and resources in the field of precision nutrition for students, researchers and medical practitioners.

Internships

The NRI has the business and administrative infrastructure to support all aspects of running a $20 million research organization. It is located on the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis, North Carolina and is part of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. UNC Nutrition Research Institute faculty and professional support staff accept unpaid student interns for short-term immersion and semester-long learning experiences. We work with your institutions to help you earn class credit when possible.

Mentoring

Faculty members in the departments of Nutrition and Psychology at UNC-Chapel Hill and located at the Nutrition Research Institute in Kannapolis often have openings for outstanding doctoral students. These are exceptional opportunities to conduct research in a state-of-the-art facility under the direction of professors who are leaders in their fields.

NGx Short Course

The 2026 NGx short course focuses on precision nutrition in the context of exercise and physical health, bringing together researchers and practitioners to explore how genetics, metabolism, and lifestyle influence health and performance across the lifespan. The program features expert-led lectures, keynote presentations, and guided tours and demonstrations of the UNC Nutrition Research Institute’s Clinical Research Core. 

The NGx short course is brought to you by the UNC Nutrition Research Institute and the UNC Nutrition and Obesity Research Center and will take place on the North Carolina Research Campus at Kannapolis City Hall. 

Support the NRI

By donating to the Nutrition Research Institute, your money targets the root of most American disease. Our scientists focus on how our genes respond to food so that soon medical practitioners will be able to guide people in their health from childhood through old age. Our critical research depends on the generosity of people like you.