United Kingdom Youth Institute

The United Kingdom Youth Institute is a transformative experience where young people 15-18 years of age 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 the United Kingdom and around the world. 

The UK Youth Institute is hosted by the University of Cumbria, Ambleside campus with the generous support of multiple partners and individuals.

  • Date: April 21, 2027
  • Venue: University of Cumbria, Ambleside campus
  • Paper Submission Deadline: April 2, 2027
  • Global Challenge Paper: To participate in the UK Youth Institute, young people 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 UK Youth Institute and lunch will be provided during the event. However, both student and teacher/mentor participants must organize their own transportation to and from the event in Ambleside.
  • Eligibility: Young people aged 15-18 at the event date are eligible to participate in the United Kingdom Youth Institute.
Register Here
Submit Your Paper

For any questions about the United Kingdom Youth Institute, please contact Sofia Fernandez at global.challenge@cumbria.ac.uk.

Benefits of Participating

Young people who participate in the UK 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. Participants 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;
  • Enhance Global Challenge Essays to meet the standards of an EPQ, demonstrate preparedness for higher education, and improve research, writing, critical thinking and public speaking skills;
  • 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 young leaders from across the United Kingdom 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 the United Kingdom;
  • Interact with global leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs in United Kingdom working to improve food security around the world; and
  • Have their research essay evaluated with feedback provided to each Youth Institute participant.

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