Applications are closed for the 2024 Borlaug-Ruan International Internship.
The Borlaug-Ruan International Internship: a truly unique experience preparing students for high impact careers in science, agriculture and global development.
The prestigious Borlaug-Ruan International Internship provides students a unique professional experience working with world-renowned scientists and policymakers at leading research and development organizations around the world.
Since 1998, The World Food Prize Foundation has placed 417 students on Borlaug-Ruan International Internships at leading agricultural research and development organizations around the world in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, including: Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, Ethiopia, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Peru, Philippines, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Turkey.
The Borlaug-Ruan International Internship differs from other study abroad and internship programs in that students complete original research projects alongside World Food Prize and Nobel Laureates, and work with acclaimed international researchers and practitioners in the field to improve food security and solve the most pressing agricultural, nutritional, health, economic and environmental problems around the world.
The student becomes an integral member of their team, spending significant time in the laboratory, in the field, and in local communities conducting research and gathering data.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Any student who has participated in, volunteered for, or has other involvement with a World Food Prize Foundation program and is 17 years old or older (on June 1, 2024) is eligible to apply.
World Food Prize Foundation programs include:
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A Youth Institute
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Global Youth Institute
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USDA Wallace-Carver Fellowship
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George Washington Carver Internship
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Board of Reviewers
There is no fee to apply or participate, and the World Food Prize Foundation and host organizations will provide the intern research project, weekly mentorship and supervision, and access to specialized trainings, virtual tours, and cultural immersion experiences. The Borlaug-Ruan Internship is an unpaid experience.
Borlaug-Ruan International Interns will be required to commit to a full-time, international internship which requires an 8-week minimum commitment during the summer of 2024, during which they will not return home unless in case of emergency. Specific dates will be determined with host organizations, if selected.
"This experience has changed my life in numerous ways. It has made me consider majors I never thought I would consider five years ago. It’s made me consider issues that weren’t at the top of my list. And, it just, it added a whole different aspect to my life and it really changed the course of where I wanted to be and where I want to be in ten years. Because, now I know that I want to be a fighter in this fight. I want to be in the ring, ah you know, taking down food insecurity and really helping those around the world."
- Pavane Gorrepati
Worked at the China National Hybrid Rice Research and Development Center (CNHRRDC) in Changsha, China