The World Food Prize Foundation places students with research and development organizations to conduct original work alongside scientists, practitioners and policymakers. Projects address food security through agriculture, nutrition, health, economics and environmental research.
The 2027 cycle is due to open in October 2026. Each selected student completes at least eight consecutive weeks of full-time, in-person work between May 1 and August 30, 2027; exact dates and placement depend on the host organization.
Benefits & funding
- The experience is all-expense-paid, with no fee to apply or participate.
- The Foundation and host organization provide a research project, weekly mentoring and supervision, specialized training, virtual tours and cultural immersion.
- The internship is unpaid, so it does not provide wages.
Eligibility
- Applicants must be aged 17–20 on June 1, 2027.
- Applicants must have participated in, volunteered for or otherwise been involved with a World Food Prize Foundation Youth Program.
- Eligible programs include a Youth Institute, the Global Youth Institute, USDA Wallace-Carver Fellowship, Foundation Internship or Board of Reviewers.
- Applicants of any nationality or residence may apply if they meet the program-involvement and age requirements.
- Selected interns must commit to a full-time, in-person international placement for at least eight weeks and may not return home during it except in an emergency.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Age requirement
17–20 yrs
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Application process
- 1Use the official application page when the 2027 online form opens in October 2026.
- 2Prepare a one-page résumé or CV, a maximum one-page biography or cover letter, passport evidence and a signed parent or guardian consent form.
- 3Submit the complete online application by November 29, 2026.
- 4Ask two eligible referees to submit recommendations by December 6, 2026; one must be a teacher who taught you in class, and neither may be a relative.
- 5If advanced, attend a virtual interview between December 11 and 18, 2026.
Program timeline
Applications open; no exact opening day is published.
October 2026
Application deadline.
November 29, 2026
Recommendation deadline.
December 6, 2026
Applicants receive an application-status update.
December 9, 2026
Virtual interviews.
December 11–18, 2026
Selection decisions.
March 1, 2027
In-person orientation in Des Moines, Iowa.
April 10, 2027
Internship placement window; each internship lasts at least eight weeks.
May 1–August 30, 2027
Interns are encouraged to present at the Global Youth Institute and International Borlaug Dialogue.
October 2027