Iowa Youth Institute
The Iowa 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 Iowa and around the world.
The Iowa Youth Institute is hosted by Iowa State University with the generous support of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and Paul and Claudia Schickler.
- Date: April 7, 2027
- Venue: Memorial Union, Iowa State University
- Registration & Paper Submission Deadline: March 24, 2027
- Global Challenge Paper: To participate in the Iowa Youth Institute, 8th-12th grade 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 Ames, Iowa. There are opportunities for schools that have never participated before to receive a transportation scholarship. Please contact elupkes@worldfoodprize.org for more information.
- Eligibility: Eighth through twelfth grade students are eligible to participate in the Iowa Youth Institute.
For more information, contact Ellen Lupkes, Senior Manager for Global Youth Programs and Partnerships, at elupkes@worldfoodprize.org. To request a school visit to learn more about the program, please use the button below.
Benefits of Participating
Students who participate in the Iowa 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. All participating high school students at the Iowa Youth Institute 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. Participants in this program will earn an additional $6,000 scholarship to Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences;
- Earn scholarships to Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. See the flyer below for additional information;
- $1,000 scholarship to Iowa State University for all participants in the Iowa Youth Institute. Students earn the scholarship for each year they participate in the Iowa Youth Institute in high school, up to $4,000;
- An additional $2,000 scholarship for those selected to be a delegate to the Global Youth Institute;
- An additional $6,000 scholarship if selected for the Borlaug-Ruan International Internship;
- Participate in interactive activities on Iowa State University’s campus to explore research and work currently taking place in Iowa to address global challenges;
- Connect with other student leaders from across Iowa 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 Iowa and interact with global leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs in Iowa 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.
History
Over 4,000 Iowa high school students from across the state have participated in the Iowa Youth Institute. In addition, more than 200 Iowa high school students have traveled to Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East through the Borlaug-Ruan International Internship program to work alongside renowned scientists at leading research centers.
In 2018, the Iowa Youth Institute was awarded the Governor’s STEM Council Seal of Approval, an endorsement that recognizes and supports Iowa education programs that both encourage interest and celebrate student achievements in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
As of 2025, 75% of high schools in 98 of Iowa’s counties have actively participated in the day-long event. At the 2026 Iowa Youth Institute, more than 350 students attended and shared their most innovative ideas for solving our world’s biggest challenges in food security.
