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Each year, more than 8,000 students participate in 37 World Food Prize Foundation Youth Institutes across 21 states and 7 countries around the globe.
The World Food Prize Foundation and the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) are pleased to announce the creation of the Illinois Youth Institute, as part of the Foundation’s continued expansion of its global Youth Programs.
Over the coming year, the Foundation and UIC will partner to plan a one-day immersive event for Illinois students to explore global food security challenges, engage in hands-on science and discover careers in food and agriculture.
“We are proud to expand our reach to Illinois and thrilled to partner with UIC to engage even more young leaders in the global effort to end hunger,” said Mashal Husain, President, World Food Prize Foundation. “With this addition, Youth Institutes are now active in nearly every state across the U.S. Midwest—an important milestone in our mission to inspire the next generation of changemakers in global food security.”
The World Food Prize Foundation Youth Institutes are a flagship component of Foundation programming, designed to provide high school students with unique opportunities to explore diverse career paths and engage in impactful work on critical issues such as agriculture, food security and sustainability. Top students from high schools across the country are invited to attend a Youth Institute hosted by a leading university, where they gain valuable hands-on experience and insights from experts committed to shaping the future of global food systems.
The announcement was made by World Food Prize Foundation Chief Executive Officer Tom Vilsack at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences (CHSAS), a long-time partner of the Foundation.
“The Illinois Youth Institute is an exciting step forward in our mission to inspire and empower the next generation of global leaders,” said Vilsack. “By partnering with UIC, we’re offering Illinois students an unparalleled opportunity to explore the complexities of food security, nutrition and innovation. These young changemakers will leave not just with knowledge, but with the drive to create meaningful, lasting change in the world’s food systems.”
Students selected to participate in a Youth Institute are eligible for selection for the World Food Prize Foundation Global Youth Institute, where they can further deepen their understanding of global food security issues and present their research on a global stage. This creates a powerful pipeline, offering high-achieving students a unique opportunity to engage with experts shaping the future of food and the planet while empowering them to take the next step in becoming change agents for food systems.
In the absence of an Illinois Youth Institute, students from the CHSAS have historically applied “at-large” directly to the Global Youth Institute, and more recently have attended the neighboring Youth Institute in Wisconsin. Since the creation of the Global Youth Institute in 1994, 76 Illinois high school students have participated.
"The creation of the Illinois Youth Institute will certainly hold significant value for all students across Illinois to engage with world leaders to discuss critical global food security issues," said William Hook, CHSAS Principal. "For years, our students have applied directly to the Global Youth Institute or participated in neighboring institutes, but now, with an institute dedicated to Illinois, we can offer even more high school students the chance to get involved in thinking critically about real-world research and solutions on global hunger and food insecurity, build their leadership skills, and provide exposure to careers in food and agriculture."
The announcement also highlights UIC’s commitment to connecting talented students with experts and showcasing academic opportunities that address global food challenges. Through the Illinois Youth Institute, UIC is partnering with the Foundation to create a pipeline for future leaders, providing students a platform to explore pressing issues and pursue careers in agriculture, environmental science and global health. This collaboration strengthens UIC’s role in shaping the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers who will tackle the world’s most urgent challenges.
“Our university is proud to collaborate with the World Food Prize Foundation in launching the Illinois Youth Institute,” said UIC Chancellor Marie Lynn Miranda. “We aim to inspire and equip high school students with the knowledge and skills necessary to make meaningful contributions to the agricultural sector, food security, and sustainability. This initiative embodies our commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders who will help shape a better world. We are excited to see the impact this program will have on Illinois students, their communities, and indeed the world.”
UIC is a natural home for the Illinois Youth Institute. As one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse universities in the nation, UIC offers 94 undergraduate programs and is led by top-tier faculty at a renowned research institution. Located in the heart of Chicago—a global city with deep roots in agriculture and food trade—UIC is positioned at the crossroads of history and innovation in food systems.