The Future of Food and Nutrition AI Challenge

How might artificial intelligence help advance evidence-based nutrition guidance, empower nutrition professionals and improve nutrition outcomes for individuals and communities?

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (the Academy) and MATTER are launching the Future of Food and Nutrition AI Challenge, a pitch competition to identify and elevate innovative solutions that are shaping the future of nutrition and dietetics.

Selected participants will have the opportunity to showcase their solutions at the 2026 Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo® (FNCE®), the year’s largest meeting of food and nutrition experts, connect with leaders across the nutrition ecosystem and gain visibility among thousands of food and nutrition professionals from across the country.

The pitch competition is designed to engage innovators working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, nutrition and healthcare while creating opportunities for collaboration, professional growth and innovation across the field.

Artificial intelligence is changing how people access information and make decisions about their health. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into everyday life, consumers are turning to these tools for nutrition guidance and wellness advice.

The Academy recognizes both the opportunities and challenges this presents. While AI has the potential to expand access to information and support nutrition professionals in new ways, it also raises important questions about accuracy, trust and the growing spread of nutrition misinformation.

As the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals, the Academy is interested in identifying solutions that harness the power of AI while reinforcing evidence-based nutrition guidance and the expertise of nutrition and dietetics professionals. Through this pitch competition, the Academy and MATTER are seeking innovators who are developing practical, impactful applications of AI that can help shape the future of nutrition and dietetics.

The Academy is seeking innovative AI-enabled solutions that support the future of nutrition and dietetics.

Potential areas of interest include:

• Evidence-based nutrition guidance
• Credentialed nutrition and dietetics professional support
• Consumer and patient engagement
• Research and education
• Workforce and operational efficiency
• Emerging applications of AI in nutrition and healthcare

The Academy welcomes a broad range of ideas and encourages applicants to apply even if their solution does not fit neatly within one category.

Selected participants will receive:

• The opportunity to pitch their solution at the 2026 Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo® (FNCE®), in San Antonio, Texas, on Sunday, October 25 at 5 p.m. Participants will receive 1 complimentary registration to FNCE®.
• Exposure to thousands of food and nutrition professionals, healthcare leaders and industry stakeholders.
• Opportunities to connect with Academy leadership and key decision-makers.
• Participation in coaching and preparation activities prior to the live pitch event.
• Feedback from judges and subject matter experts.
• Increased visibility within the nutrition and healthcare innovation ecosystem.
• The winning pitch will receive additional recognition during the FNCE® 2026 Closing General Session.

Additional recognition opportunities and awards will be announced as details are finalized.

The Academy encourages applications from innovators across the nutrition and healthcare ecosystem. Teams that include Academy members, including registered dietitian nutritionists and nutrition and dietetics technicians, registered, will receive priority consideration.

• Academy members
• Registered dietitian nutritionists
• Nutrition and dietetics technicians, registered
• Startups
• Entrepreneurs
• Students
• Early-career professionals
• Researchers
• Technology developers
• Healthcare innovators
• Multidisciplinary teams

Solutions at any stage of development are welcome.

Whether you are building a new technology, developing a service model or exploring a novel application of AI within nutrition and healthcare, we encourage you to apply.

Applications will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Innovation: Does the solution demonstrate a novel approach to addressing a meaningful challenge or opportunity within nutrition and healthcare?
• Potential impact: Can the solution meaningfully improve nutrition outcomes, support nutrition professionals or address a significant need within the field?
• Feasibility: Is the solution realistic, actionable and capable of successful implementation?
• Scalability: Does the solution have the potential to reach broader populations, organizations or communities?
• Alignment: How well does the solution align with the goals of the pitch competition and the future needs of the nutrition profession? Priority consideration will be given to teams that include Academy members, including registered dietitian nutritionists and nutrition and dietetics technicians, registered.

Applications open: Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Market-shaping event: Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Applications close: Friday, September 11, 2026
Finalist selection and onboarding: October 2026
Pitch competition at FNCE®: Sunday, October 25, 2026

Ready to help shape the future of nutrition?

Submit your application to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Pitch Competition and share your vision for how AI can strengthen nutrition care, support professionals and improve outcomes for individuals and communities.

See the full Terms & Conditions.

Representing more than 112,000 credentialed nutrition and dietetics practitioners, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is the world’s largest organization of food and nutrition professionals. The Academy is committed to improving the nation’s health and advancing the profession of dietetics through research, education and advocacy.

Visit the Academy at www.eatright.org.

MATTER, the premier healthcare incubator and innovation hub, includes more than 1,000 current and alumni startups from around the world, working together with dozens of hospitals and health systems, universities and industry-leading companies to build the future of healthcare. Together, the MATTER community is accelerating innovation, advancing care and improving lives. For more information, visit matter.health and follow @MATTERhealth.