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: TBD 
  • Venue: University of Florida
  • Application Deadline: TBD
  • Acceptance and Essay Information: TBD
  • Final Essay, Fees and Paperwork: TBD
    NOTE: If the Florida Youth Institute reaches capacity or if you are a 9th or 10th grade student, you may join one of four 2026 World Food Prize Foundation Virtual Youth Institutes. Learn more here.
  • 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 January 15, 2026. Selected candidates will receive an invitation to write the essay March 10, 2026 with final invitations to attend sent by April 25, 2026.
  • 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.
Student Registration

For any questions about the Florida Youth Institute, please contact: Charlotte Emerson, cemer@ufl.edu or 352-392-1963.

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:

  • Present research and recommendations on ways to solve key global challenges in a short speech and small group discussions with leading agriculture experts;
  • 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;
  • Connect with other student leaders from across Florida to share ideas, identify solutions to these problems and build lasting friendships;
  • Explore the issues, current research and opportunities to make a difference with organizations based in Florida;
  • Interact with global leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs in Florida working to improve food security around the world; and
  • Have their research paper evaluated by the World Food Prize Foundation.

How to Participate

The World Food Prize Foundation’s Global Challenge curriculum is designed to empower high school students to explore, analyze and solve the world’s most pressing problems related to global food security, agriculture and sustainability issues.

To participate, a student must write a three to five page research paper on a country and a food security related topic. Each student will then share this research at a World Food Prize Foundation Youth Institute. The Foundation believes that elevating young voices is crucial to creating a more food-secure and sustainable world and we want to hear your solutions.

Global Challenge Paper Instructions