Sweden – SLU Youth Institute

The SLU 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 Sweden, across Europe and around the world. 

The SLU Youth Institute is hosted by the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences at the Ultuna Campus (Uppsala), Alnarp Campus (Skåne), and the Umeå Campus (Umeå).

  • Date for Roundtable Discussions: 
    • Ultuna Campus, Uppsala: May 4, 2027 
    • Alnarp Campus, Skåne: May 13, 2027
    • Umeå Campus, Umeå: April 27, 2027
  • Venue: Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Campuses
  • Paper Submission Deadline: TBD
  • Global Challenge Paper: To participate in the SLU 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,
  • Eligibility: All high school students are eligible to participate in the SLU Youth Institute.

For any questions about the SLU Youth Institute, please contact:  Anna-Klara Lindeborg (+46 18-671230), Kristina Karlsson Green (+46 40-415302) or Elisabeth Nyström (+46 90-7868238).

Benefits of Participating

Students who participate in the SLU 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 Sweden 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 Sweden;
  • Interact with global leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs in Sweden working to improve food security around the world; and
  • Have their research paper evaluated by Reviewers. Reviewers provide feedback to each student who participates in the Youth Institute.

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