Nebraska Youth Institute

The Nebraska 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 Nebraska and around the world. 

The Nebraska Youth Institute is hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with the generous support of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR); the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication (ALEC); the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR); Bruce and Kathy Maunder with the Maunder-Borlaug Scholarship, The Malaika Foundation; the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) and Nebraska FFA.

  • Date: February 8, 2027
  • Venue: University of Nebraska-Lincoln | Lincoln, NE
  • Registration Deadline: January 31, 2027
  • Global Challenge Paper: To participate in the Arkansas 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 Fayetteville, Arkansas.
  • Eligibility: Ninth through twelfth grade students are eligible to participate in the Arkansas Youth Institute.
Student Registration
Adult Registration

For any questions about the Nebraska Youth Institute, please contact: Morgan Tranmer, mtranmer2@unl.edu or 402-472-9782. 

Benefits of Participating

Students who participate in the Nebraska 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;
  • Earn a $500 scholarship to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and become eligible for the $2,000 Maunder-Borlaug Scholarship toward tuition at UNL’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR);
  • 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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska;
  • Interact with global leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs in Nebraska 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