INTERN AT THE WORLD FOOD PRIZE FOUNDATION
World Food Prize Foundation Internships provide students with an opportunity to directly support the work of the World Food Prize Foundation and learn about issues related to global food insecurity, sustainability, and international development.
Interns are an integral part of the World Food Prize Foundation and come from a variety of academic disciplines. Internship roles are specialized according to an individual’s background, skills, area of interest and needs of the World Food Prize Foundation. In addition to gaining a deeper understanding of global food insecurity issues, they also have the opportunity to interact with World Food Prize Laureates, government officials, international experts in science and agriculture, and food security leaders.
Internship Program Details
TIMEFRAME: The World Food Prize Foundation has cohorts of interns during the academic year and summer. Applications for Spring 2026 are now open! The summer internship will run from January 20, 2026 - May 9, 2026. The timeline for candidate review and selection is outlined below:
- November 26, 2025: Applications are due.
- December 2025: Candidates are notified of their application status and interviews are conducted.
- January 20, 2026: First day of summer internship (flexible based on availability)
- May 9, 2026: Last day of summer internship
INTERNSHIP EXPECTATIONS: Interns work on-site in Des Moines, Iowa. While a minimum commitment of 12-15 hours per week in the hours between 9:00am - 5:00pm Monday thru Friday is required for the academic year, the program provides flexibility for each intern’s schedule. Note: Any costs associated with travel and relocation to Des Moines are the responsibility of the intern.
COMPENSATION: Interns are compensated with a stipend of $1,500 for the semester. Interns may be eligible for course credit.
INTERNSHIP AREAS: Each academic year and summer, a cohort of highly qualified undergraduate and graduate students is chosen for this unique program, which provides interns with the opportunity to take significant responsibility and initiative in planning and carrying out a wide range of the Foundation’s projects in the following areas:
REQUIREMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS: All selected interns share a commitment to fulfilling The World Food Prize Foundation’s mission of elevating innovation and inspiring action to increase the quality, quantity, and availability of food for all. Successful candidates meet the following criteria:
-
Applicants must be proficient in English and eligible to work in the U.S. to be considered for placement
-
A strong academic background
-
A passion for addressing global food insecurity
-
A capacity for analytical thinking
-
Impeccable attention to detail
-
Excellent oral and written communication skills
-
Enthusiastic and flexible learners, capable of both taking direction and working independently.
-
Individuals selected for the internship are subject to a background check
Emails of inquiry can be directed to Kate Levasseur, klevasseur@worldfoodprize.org.