Childhood Health (N) 2026

The National Dairy Council invites the submission of pre-proposals that examine the role of milk and dairy foods in supporting childhood health and development. Priority areas include research that:

• Evaluates the effects of whole or flavored milk consumption on growth, weight status, metabolic health, and nutrient adequacy across key developmental stages. 
• Investigates, in school settings, how milk availability and type influence overall consumption, nutrient intake, and student behavior, including the impacts of changes in offerings or formulation and the balance between milk at all fat levels or added sugars and nutritional benefits. 
• Examine associations between dairy intake and cognitive outcomes, such as memory, attention, executive function, and academic performance, alongside mechanistic insights into how dairy nutrients support brain health.
• Examine the impact of school-based dairy offerings on dietary intake and cognitive-related outcomes across different age groups and populations, while exploring substitution patterns and precision nutrition approaches to inform more tailored, evidence-based dairy recommendations for children.

Important Note:

Only the Primary Investigator, as the ‘Submittable’ account holder, can submit applications and receive all notifications about this submission.