The Young Scientists Group (YSG) is the World Food Forum’s scientific advisory body, launched in 2022 to supply scientific evidence and technical knowledge to the Forum’s Youth Initiative, including the Youth Assembly, the Youth Innovation Lab and the Youth Education Programme. Members work in two-year cohorts aligned with FAO’s Four Betters — better production, better nutrition, better environment and better life — and their main joint output is a biennial report on a technical issue of particular concern to youth in agrifood systems transformation.
Who can apply: applicants must have graduated from, or be enrolled in, a graduate degree programme at the time of application; be between 18 and 35 years of age as of 31 December 2028; be a national of an FAO Member State; and be specialised in a field relevant to FAO’s mission. Applicants need demonstrated proficiency in spoken and written English and must be able to dedicate about 20 hours per month to the role. FAO employees and immediate family members of FAO employees are not eligible. Membership is an advisory role and does not confer authority to speak on behalf of FAO.
How selection works: the process runs in three rounds — an eligibility and experience review, a shortlist stage where candidates submit a letter of recommendation and a two-minute video on how they would contribute, and interviews with final selections based on interview performance and ranking. The cohort aims for gender parity and regional balance, and members may reapply for a following cohort, up to a maximum of two cohorts.
How to apply: the call for the 2027–2029 cohort is open now on the World Food Forum’s official Young Scientists Group page, where the application link is published. Apply through that official page.
