Wisconsin Youth Institute

What is the Wisconsin Youth Institute?

The Wisconsin Youth Institute (WYI) in partnership with the World Food Prize Foundation, challenges high school students to solve local and global food security issues by connecting agriculture, science, health, economics, policy, social justice, and more. 

Students who attend WYI participate in the World Food Prize Foundation’s Global Challenge to complete a research paper on a global food security issue with the assistance of a teacher or mentor. Students will then present that research in a roundtable discussion with small groups at the institute.

The institute itself is a day-long program hosted by the College of Agricultural & Life Sciences at UW-Madison where students will engage with UW-Madison and local experts on issues related to food security, participate in hands-on activities, and explore exciting ways to make a difference in Wisconsin and around the world.

WYI participants are eligible to apply for the Borlaug-Ruan International Internship, USDA Wallace-Carver Fellowship, and World Food Prize Foundation Internships. Selected students will be able nominated to attend the Global Youth Institute.

Learn more about WYI and World Food Prize Foundation here.