Illinois Youth Institute

The Illinois 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 Illinois and around the world. 

The Illinois Youth Institute is hosted by the University of Illinois Chicago with the generous support of multiple partners and individuals.

  • Date: May 12, 2027
  • Venue: University of Illinois Chicago
  • Registration Deadline: April 10, 2027
  • Global Challenge Paper: To participate in the Illinois 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 no registration cost to participate in the Institute and meals will be provided during the event. However, both student and teacher/mentor participants must organize their own transportation to and from the event in Chicago, Illinois.
  • Eligibility: Ninth through twelfth grade students are eligible to participate in the Illinois Youth Institute.
Student Registration
Adult Registration

For any questions about the Illinois Youth Institute, please contact: Peggy Yih, pegyih@gmail.com or Sheila Fowler, sheilafowler05@gmail.com.

Benefits of Participating

Students who participate in the Illinois 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 Illinois 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 Illinois;
  • Interact with global leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs in Illinois 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