Join Our Research Study Community

Our vision is to use scientific discovery to ensure optimal health through individualized nutrition. To do this, we need your help! Many of our research studies rely on volunteers to help us learn how nutrition science works in differing people.

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Make a difference

Help us learn how nutrition science works in differing people.

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Participation is Free

Most studies include compensation for your time.

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Expert Clinical Care

Expert care by researchers and clinicians.

Participate in a Study

Participant Opportunities

Read through the opportunities below to learn more.

AoU: The Nutrition for Precision Health Study

Can a personalized diet help improve health and prevent chronic diseases?
The Nutrition for Precision Health study is trying to answer this question by studying how individual people respond to different foods.

Recruitment Requirements:
• 18 years or older, speak English or Spanish
• Live near one of the study sites
• Enrolled in the All of Us Research Program

All of Us

All of Us is looking for participants in Chapel Hill, Kannapolis, and surrounding areas. We hope that at least one million people will join from across the U.S. People who join will share information about their health, habits, what it’s like where they live, and if they will want information about their DNA.

BRAINS Avocado Study

The purpose of this study is to show how nutrition helps babies grow and learn.

Recruitment Requirements:
• 18 to 35-year-old women who are pregnant and plan to breastfeed or are currently breastfeeding babies younger than 3 months

Children’s Health Study

The purpose of this study is to identify genes and lifestyle factors that affect children’s health status and overall well-being.

Recruitment Requirements:
Kids and teens ages 5-19 and their parents
Located in Cabarrus and neighboring counties

Eat Move Think Research Study

Study Purpose:
We are researching whether consuming blueberries and exercising can support brain health as we age.

Recruitment Requirements:
• Ages 65–85 and experiencing memory issues
• Physically inactive (less than 150 min/week of moderate exercise in the last 4 weeks)
• Complete a survey to check eligibility

The HONOR Study

Study Purpose:
This study is testing a digital intervention that may help improve type 2 diabetes management and eating behavior.

Recruitment Requirements:
• African American adult with Type 2 Diabetes
• Have an A1C ≥ 7.5
• Report out-of-control eating
• Have a working smartphone and can attend group meetings via Zoom
• Complete a survey to check eligibility

Infant Nutrition and Cognition Study

Study Purpose:
To show how nutrition helps babies grow and learn.

Recruitment Requirements:
• 18 to 35-year-old women who are pregnant and plan to breastfeed, or breastfeeding babies younger than 3 months

Nutritional Impact on Gut Microbiota and Human Health

Study Purpose:
We are studying how food is broken down by human gut microbiota and how nutrition plays an essential role in overall health.

Recruitment Requirements:
• Ages 18–65 with a BMI: 18–25 or 30–40
• Generally healthy
• Not currently breastfeeding
• Not taking medications or antibiotics
• Complete a survey to check eligibility

Pregnant Women Health Study

The purpose of this study is to understand how genetic and lifestyle factors affect nutrient metabolism, particularly glycine, purine and folate metabolism, in pregnancy.

Recruitment Requirements:
• Women 18-45 years old without any regard to disease status, who are currently pregnant

SPM Active® Supplementation

Study Purpose:
The purpose of this study aims to explore the effects of SPM Active®, an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) dietary supplement, on adults with obesity.

Recruitment Requirements:
• Adults age 25-65
• BMI 30-40
• If you smoke, are allergic to fish, or take medication for diabetes, asthma or any autoimmune disease, you do not qualify.

Join the Participant Pool

Be the first to know! The pool is a secure, confidential database for people interested in being notified of future studies with us on the NC Research Campus here in Kannapolis! The pool allows us to share information with you about research studies you may be eligible to join, but does not commit you to participating in any way. Learn More

What To Expect

• Participation is always voluntary. You can choose to drop out at any point.

• You may be asked to eat or drink certain nutrients or provide biological samples such as blood or urine. We may record your physical measurements or have you take some cognitive tests.

• You are typically paid for your time based on the activities and time commitment required.

Participate in a study

How NRI Advances Nutrition and Health

• Driving Discovery
Clinical studies are essential to advancing scientific knowledge—helping us uncover how nutrition influences health and disease, and paving the way for innovative, evidence-based solutions that benefit people everywhere.

• Empower Your Health Through Research
As a participant at NRI, you can take part in cutting-edge nutrition research that may offer insight into your own health—while contributing to discoveries that benefit others.

• Advancing Science with Global Reach
When you participate in research at NRI, you become a vital part of discovering how nutrition can improve health for people everywhere.