Human Nutrition Research Services (HNRS)

This service is provided by the Clinical Research Resource (CRR) .

Overview

Human Nutrition Research Services (HNRS) partners with investigators to design, implement, and evaluate nutrition-related aspects of clinical and translational studies. Our team provides scientific and operational expertise to design and deliver nutrition interventions and measurements with high methodological rigor. Services are available across the full research lifecycle, from early study development through implementation. 

How Nutrition May Be Included in Research 

Support is available for studies in which nutrition plays a role, including: 

  • Nutrition or diet as the primary intervention 

  • Multi-component interventions that include a nutrition component 

  • Measurement of dietary intake or nutritional status 

  • Participant counseling or nutrition education 

  • Standardization or control of food intake 

  • Specialized or medically complex diets 

  • Studies requiring feasibility input on nutrition methods 

Investigators may request support whether nutrition is central to the study or one element of a broader design. 

Services 

HNRS provides tailored support to implement the nutrition components of research studies. Services may include: 

  • Study design, feasibility consultation, and dietary intervention planning 

  • Controlled feeding and standardized diet implementation 

  • Dietary assessment and outcome measurement 

  • Participant counseling within research protocols 

  • Support for specialized or medically complex diets 

  • Participant adherence strategies 

  • Operational planning for implementation of nutrition components 

  • Budget development for nutrition services 

  • Ongoing study support 

Services are customized to each project and may be provided at any stage of study development or implementation.  

Scope of Services 

HNRS supports nutrition activities conducted as part of approved or proposed research studies. This unit does not provide routine clinical nutrition care or outpatient dietitian services outside of research protocols. 

Controlled Diets and Meal Provision 

For studies requiring controlled dietary intake, support may include planning and implementation of nutrition protocols, including provision of prepared foods or meals when appropriate. Requirements vary depending on study design, duration, and setting. 

When to Request Support 

Investigators are encouraged to submit requests as early as possible, particularly: 

  • During study design or protocol development 

  • While preparing grant applications 

  • Before budgets are finalized 

  • Prior to IRB submission 

  • When planning complex or controlled nutrition interventions 

A fully finalized nutrition plan is not required to initiate a request. Early engagement supports accurate feasibility assessment, budgeting, and integration of nutrition methods into study design. 

Eligibility 

The service is open to all researchers at Columbia University. 

Cost 

After emailing, the team will review the request and determine the appropriate next steps. Investigators may be contacted for additional information or to schedule a free consultation. 

Services are generally provided on a cost-recovery basis in accordance with institutional policies; early consultation helps ensure accurate budgeting and feasibility planning. Standard rates are listed below: 

Rate

FY25 Prices*

Technician Time 

$100/hour

One-time NDSR fee 

$500 per study 

* Prices are reviewed annually and are subject to change in future fiscal years. Studies will be charged the price in place at the time service is rendered. 

Contact us for a complete cost estimate; protocol-specific prices and budgets before submission for funding. 

Cite it, Submit it, Share it! 

If your research has benefited from one or more Irving Institute resources, please remember to: 

  • Cite our CTSA grant, UL1 TR001873, in any relevant publications, abstracts, chapters, and/or posters. 

  • Submit your publications to PubMed Central (PMC) for compliance with the NIH Public Access Policy. 

Contact

Human Nutrition Research Services (HNRS)
622 West 168th Street, 10th Floor
Room 310
New York, NY 10032
United States
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