The World Food Prize Foundation is inviting applications for its 2026 Youth Institutes, offering high school students an opportunity to research global food security challenges, present innovative solutions, and connect with leading experts in agriculture, sustainability, and international development.
Hosted in partnership with leading universities and research institutions across the United States, Africa, Europe, and through Virtual Youth Institutes, the programme empowers students to become the next generation of leaders tackling hunger and global food insecurity.
About the World Food Prize Youth Institutes
The World Food Prize Youth Institutes engage more than 2,000 high school students annually in meaningful discussions about agriculture, food security, nutrition, sustainability, and global development.
Students research a food security issue affecting a specific country, prepare a Global Challenge paper, and present their findings to scientists, university faculty, policymakers, and industry leaders during a Youth Institute.
The programme encourages critical thinking, global citizenship, and innovative problem-solving while exposing students to careers in agriculture, science, and international development.
Programme Details
- Organization: World Food Prize Foundation
- Programme: World Food Prize Youth Institutes
- Eligible Applicants: High School Students
- Participation: In-person and Virtual
- Host Locations: United States, Africa, Europe, and Virtual
Benefits
Participants receive numerous academic and leadership opportunities, including:
- Recognition as a Borlaug Scholar
- Eligibility to attend the Global Youth Institute
- Opportunity to compete for 10 Global Challenge Awards
- Two top awards of US$1,000 for outstanding Global Challenge papers
- Eligibility for the Borlaug-Ruan International Internship
- Eligibility for the USDA Wallace-Carver Fellowship
- Consideration for scholarships offered by participating universities
- Opportunities to network with agricultural scientists, researchers, and global leaders
- Improved research, writing, public speaking, and critical thinking skills
- Greater understanding of global food security and sustainable agriculture
How to Participate
To participate, students must complete the Foundation’s Global Challenge project.
Applicants are required to:
- Select a country.
- Choose a food security-related issue affecting that country.
- Write a 3–5 page research paper proposing innovative solutions.
- Present their research during a World Food Prize Youth Institute.
The programme encourages students to develop practical, evidence-based solutions to real-world food security challenges.
Areas of Focus
Research topics may include:
- Global food security
- Sustainable agriculture
- Nutrition
- Climate change
- Agricultural innovation
- Water resources
- Food systems
- Rural development
- Agricultural technology
- Environmental sustainability
Youth Institute Locations
Youth Institutes are hosted across numerous locations.
United States
Participating states include:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Wisconsin
International Locations
Youth Institutes are also available in:
- Honduras
- Kenya
- Netherlands
- Sierra Leone
- South Africa
- Sweden
- Uganda
- United Kingdom
Virtual Youth Institutes
Students from countries or regions without a local Youth Institute may participate through the Foundation’s Virtual Youth Institutes.
Additional Opportunities
Outstanding participants may advance to prestigious programmes offered by the Foundation, including:
- Global Youth Institute
- Borlaug-Ruan International Internship
- USDA Wallace-Carver Fellowship
- Global Challenge Awards
These opportunities provide further international learning experiences, research exposure, and leadership development.
Who Should Apply?
The programme is ideal for high school students who are interested in:
- Agriculture
- Food security
- Environmental science
- International development
- Public policy
- Sustainability
- Global health
- Scientific research
Students should have a strong interest in researching global issues and presenting innovative ideas.
Why Apply?
The World Food Prize Youth Institutes provide an exceptional platform for young people to explore global challenges while developing research, leadership, and communication skills. Participants gain valuable exposure to higher education institutions, international experts, and career pathways in agriculture and food systems, while joining a global community of future leaders committed to ending hunger and building a more sustainable world.
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