Minnesota Youth Institute opportunity challenges high schoolers to solve local and global hunger issues
High school students across the state are invited to submit a paper and participate in the Minnesota Youth Institute (MNYI) on May 15, 2024, for an in–person educational program hosted by the University of Minnesota’s College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) and the World Food Prize Foundation.
At the event, students will engage with leaders in science, policy and industry to discuss the world’s most pressing challenges in hunger and poverty.
In order to participate in the program, students must research and write a paper on a global challenge affecting food security, and then provide recommendations on how to solve issues. Students are then invited to attend a day-long event on campus and engage in hands-on immersions such as plant pathology identification or processing restaurant oil into biofuel. They also present their solutions in roundtables, allowing them to reflect on their unique role in addressing challenges related to agriculture, policy, science, industry, and hunger relief efforts.
The deadline to register for the MNYI is April 1 and research papers must be submitted by April 8. Students, teachers, parents, and community members can learn more here.
By participating, 9th to 12th grade students will:
- Receive a $1,000 scholarship to the University of Minnesota CFANS
- Present their ideas to statewide peers and experts on May 15
- Access other opportunities, such as participating in research fellowships, exploring international internships, advancing to the Global Youth Institute, and more
For their participation, the students are recognized as Borlaug Scholars and are eligible for special scholarships, internships and other professional opportunities, including paid Wallace-Carver Fellowships at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A select few also will advance to the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute, a gathering of more than 1,000 world leaders working to advance food security, agriculture and human development.