About the Florida Youth Institute
The Florida Youth Institute is a transformative experience where high school students engage with local leaders and agriculture experts on critical global challenges, participate in hands-on activities and explore meaningful ways to make a difference in Florida and around the world.
The Florida Youth Institute is hosted by the University of Florida (UF) with the generous support of the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Sciences.
Date: July 6-11, 2025 OR July 13-18,2025
Venue: University of Florida
Registration Deadline: March 6, 2025
How to participate
Application: Applications include a response to an essay prompt, letter of recommendation, high school transcript, and applicant information. If you have questions about the application process, visit UF Center for Precollegiate Education and Training (CPET). More information about the Florida Youth Institute application process can also be found here.
Applications open December 10, 2024. Selected candidates will receive an invitation to write the essay March 10, 2025 with final invitations to attend sent by April 25, 2025.
Global Challenge Paper: To participate in the Florida Youth Institute, high school students research an issue related to food security and write a paper under the supervision of a teacher or mentor.
Cost: There is a $550 registration fee to participate in the Institute. Meals will be provided during the event. Student and teacher/mentor participants must organize their own transportation to and from the event in Gainesville, Florida.
Eligibility: Eleventh and twelfth grade students are eligible to participate in the Florida Youth Institute.
Global Challenge Instructions Sample Student Paper
Benefits of participating
Students who participate in the Florida Youth Institute earn recognition as a Borlaug Scholar and become eligible to be invited as a student delegate to attend the Global Youth Institute in Des Moines, Iowa. Participating high school students have the opportunity to:
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Present research and recommendations on ways to solve key global challenges in a short speech and small group discussions with leading agriculture experts;
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Earn a $10,000 scholarship to the University of Florida's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS);
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Become eligible for the Borlaug-Ruan International Internship, an all expenses-paid, eight-week hands-on experience for students to work with world-renowned scientists and policymakers at leading research centers around the world;
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Connect with other student leaders from across Florida to share ideas, identify solutions to these problems and build lasting friendships;
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Explore the issues, current research and opportunities to make a difference with organizations based in Florida;
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Interact with global leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs in Florida working to improve food security around the world; and
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Have their research paper evaluated by the World Food Prize Board of Reviewers. Reviewers provide feedback to each student who participates in the Youth Institute.
For any questions about the Florida Youth Institute, please contact: Charlotte Emerson, cemer@ufl.edu or 352-392-1963.