By Blake Jackson
The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison will host the 12th annual World Food Prize Foundation Wisconsin Youth Institute (WYI) on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at the UW-Madison campus.
The free, one-day program welcomes high school students in grades 9 through 12 from across Wisconsin who are interested in global food security, sustainability, and social equity.
The Wisconsin Youth Institute offers students a hands-on opportunity to engage with UW-Madison faculty, participate in interactive learning sessions, and explore pressing global issues related to food systems, natural resources, hunger, and poverty.
The program is designed for students who want to contribute to meaningful solutions and better understand the complex challenges facing communities around the world.
Prior to the event, students are required to research a global issue they are passionate about and submit a research paper under the guidance of a teacher or mentor. During the institute, participants will present their research and discuss their proposed solutions with peers and experts. The deadline to register and submit materials is May 6, 2026.
Outstanding participants will be selected to attend the World Food Prize Foundation’s Global Youth Institute, held alongside the World Food Prize International Symposium in October in Des Moines, Iowa.
Students may also become eligible for international internships and fellowships, while mentors attending the Global Youth Institute can take part in professional development opportunities.
A recent success story includes Aditya Behara, a Wisconsin Youth Institute participant who attended the Global Youth Institute in October 2025 and received a 2025 Global Challenge Award.
“I wanted to participate in the institutes because they gave me the opportunity to apply academic research and critical thinking towards real world problems,” Behara said.
“The most significant aspect was the connections I made with changemakers. Collaborating with determined people was an incredible experience and gives me the inspiration to make my own change in a world where youth so often feel disempowered.”
The Wisconsin Youth Institute is a collaborative effort between UW-Madison and The World Food Prize Foundation and is supported by private donor gifts. For more information, visit https://cals.wisc.edu/academics/k-12-outreach/wisconsin-youth-institute/
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Categories: Wisconsin, Education