World Food Prize Foundation

Borlaug-Ruan International Internship

INTERNSHIP

Applications for the 2027 Borlaug-Ruan International Internship will open in October 2026.

WORLD FOOD PRIZE

The Borlaug-Ruan International Internship: a truly unique experience preparing students for high impact careers in science, agriculture and global development.

The prestigious Borlaug-Ruan International Internship provides students a unique professional experience working with world-renowned scientists and policymakers at leading research and development organizations around the world.

Since 1998, The World Food Prize Foundation has placed 460 students on Borlaug-Ruan International Internships at leading agricultural research and development organizations around the world in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East, including: Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Egypt, Ethiopia, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nepal, Peru, Philippines, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago and Turkey.

The Borlaug-Ruan International Internship differs from other study abroad and internship programs in that students have the opportunity to complete original research projects alongside World Food Prize Laureates and acclaimed international researchers and practitioners in the field to improve food security and solve the most pressing agricultural, nutritional, health, economic and environmental problems around the world. The student becomes an integral member of their team, spending significant time in the laboratory, in the field and in local communities conducting research and gathering data.

Borlaug-Ruan International Internship

Eligibility Requirements

Any student who has participated in, volunteered for or has other involvement with a World Food Prize Foundation program and is 17 years old or older (on June 1, 2027) is eligible to apply.

WORLD FOOD PRIZE

Important Participation Information

There is no fee to apply or participate, and the World Food Prize Foundation and host organizations will provide the intern research project, weekly mentorship and supervision and access to specialized trainings, virtual tours and cultural immersion experiences;

The Borlaug-Ruan Internship is an unpaid experience; and Borlaug-Ruan International Interns will be required to commit to a full-time, international internship which requires an 8-week minimum commitment during the summer of 2027, during which they will not return home except in case of emergency. Specific dates will be determined with host organizations, if selected.

Borlaug-Ruan International Interns

AN ALL-EXPENSE-PAID HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE, the prestigious Borlaug-Ruan International Internship provides young leaders the opportunity to work with world renowned scientists and policymakers at leading research centers in Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Middle East.

Each intern develops an internship report documenting their personal experiences, the outcomes of their research projects and the impact of the work on global food security and development. 

To learn more about previous Borlaug-Ruan Interns, and to read their research papers and blogs click on the green icons below.

Internship Excellence Award

The Internship Excellence Award goes to one Borlaug-Ruan International Intern each year in recognition of the intern’s accomplishments and performance. The recognition includes a $1,000 prize.

Internship Testimonials
“

“This experience has changed my life in numerous ways. It has made me consider majors I never thought I would consider five years ago. It’s made me consider issues that weren’t at the top of my list. And, it just, it added a whole different aspect to my life and it really changed the course of where I wanted to be and where I want to be in ten years. Because, now I know that I want to be a fighter in this fight. I want to be in the ring, ah you know, taking down food insecurity and really helping those around the world.”

Pavane Gorrepati previously worked at the China National Hybrid Rice Research and Development Center (CNHRRDC) in Changsha, China

“Prior to my internship, I had no idea how impactful it would be in my life. During my internship, I was able to gain experience in laboratory practices that helped me get a job at the Iowa State University Seed Science Center as a freshman.

I had expected this internship to give me some insight on whether seed science was actually a career I wanted to pursue, and it did. Where it went above and beyond were the experiences I gained and the opportunity to develop my Spanish speaking abilities with native speakers.”

Iowa student intern Olivia Marti was placed at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center in Texcoco, Mexico.

LATEST NEWS

International Internship Sites & Partners

TheWorld Food Prize Foundation works  with leading research and development institutions around the world to provide hands-on opportunities for students to engage in projects focused on food security, sustainable agriculture, crop science, nutrition and global development while learning from experts in the field.

Discover the organizations  that make this transformative international experience possible.

View Internship Sites & Partners