The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is pleased to host the 11th annual World Food Prize Foundation Wisconsin Youth Institute, which will be held at the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

This free, one-day event brings together high school students in grades 9-12 from across Wisconsin to interact with UW–Madison faculty, partake in interactive sessions, and engage in rich dialogue about critical global challenges surrounding food systems, natural resources, world hunger and poverty. The event is for students who want to be involved in creating a more food-secure, equitable and sustainable world, and who would like to help develop positive solutions to global challenges.

To participate in this unique experience, ahead of the event students must research a global issue they care about and submit a research paper under the supervision of a teacher or mentor. During the Wisconsin Youth Institute, students will present their research papers and share their proposed solutions to these grand challenges. The deadline to register is April 7, 2025.

The top students at the Wisconsin Youth Institute will be invited to attend the World Food Prize Foundation Global Youth Institute held in conjunction with the World Food Prize International Symposium in October in Des Moines, Iowa. Participating students are eligible for international internships and fellowships. Mentors who attend the Global Youth Institute can participate in professional development programming.  

The WYI is a partnership between the UW–Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences and The World Food Prize Foundation. For more information about the WYI, research paper guidelines and to register, visit https://cals.wisc.edu/academics/k-12-outreach/wisconsin-youth-institute/.

For questions, contact Kara Henderlight at kara.henderlight@wisc.edu.