Colorado Grow Youth Institute

What is the Colorado Grow Youth Institute?

The WFPF Colorado Grow Youth Institute is a life-changing experience coordinated by the Colorado State University Spur Campus where high school students engage with leaders and experts on critical global challenges, participate in hands-on activities, and explore exciting ways to make a difference in Colorado and around the world. 

Why participate?

Students who participate in the WFPF Colorado Grow Youth Institute earn a $1,000 scholarship to study in the college of Agricultural Sciences at Colorado State University, recognition as a Borlaug Scholar, and qualify for internships and further opportunities. 

At this exciting event, participating high school students have the opportunity to:

• Present research and recommendations on ways to solve key global challenges in a short speech and small group discussions with global food security experts;

• Connect with other student leaders to share ideas, identify solutions to these problems and build lasting friendships;

• Explore the issues, current research and opportunities to make a difference in the world; and

• Interact with global leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs in Colorado working to end hunger and poverty and improve food security around the world.

Papers will be evaluated by The World Food Prize Board of Reviewers. This distinguished group of educators, experts and alumni of the our youth programs was established to mentor and personally encourage students. Reviewers write thoughtful, personalized feedback to each student who participates in the Youth Institute.

How to register

To participate in the WFPF Colorado Grow Youth Institute, high school students research a global issue and write a paper under the supervision of a teacher or mentor (using the downloadable guideline above and resources below).

Ninth through twelfth grade students in the 2023/24 school year are eligible to apply

Registration are due by April 15, 2024

Paper submission are due by May 1, 2024.

Note: Registration and paper submission forms are now open!

For more information please contact Dr. Aryn Baxter at:

SPURCOLORADOGROW@COLOSTATE.EDU or 970-491-5083

Further opportunities for participants:
 

The Global Youth Institute
The top high school students from each Youth Institute will be competitively selected as delegates to the Global Youth Institute, held every October in Des Moines, Iowa. 

The Global Youth Institute is an exciting three-day program where young leaders interact with Nobel and World Food Prize Laureates and the more than 1,000 global leaders from 65 countries attending the World Food Prize's annual international symposium.

Borlaug-Ruan International Internships
An all-expenses-paid, eight-week hands-on experience for high school students to work with world-renowned scientists and policymakers at leading research centers in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Borlaug-Ruan Interns get a firsthand view of pressing food security and nutritional problems in poverty-stricken areas and take part in groundbreaking research.

Any student who has participated in, volunteered for, or has other involvement with a World Food Prize Foundation program are eligible to apply for the Borlaug Ruan International Internship. 

​​​​​USDA Wallace-Carver Fellowships
A paid summer research or policy placement for college students at a U.S. Department of Agriculture laboratory, agency, or at USDA headquarters in Washington D.C. Wallace-Carver Fellows analyze agricultural and economic policy; assist in the management of food, nutrition and rural development programs; and take part in groundbreaking field and laboratory-based research. Fellows travel to Washington DC as part of their fellowship for a week-long high-level leadership program hosted by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

All Borlaug Scholars who are United States Citizens are eligible to apply for a the USDA Wallace-Carver Fellowship.