The Student Case Competition will be hosted in Cork Ireland as part of the 36th annual IFAMA World Conference, on June 15–19, 2026, on the theme, Rooted in Resilience: Revitalizing agri-food systems for an uncertain tomorrow.

See last year's Winners here!

About the Student Case Competition

Where will the next generation of food system leaders emerge? At IFAMA's Student Case Competition—the world's premier proving ground for tomorrow's agribusiness innovators.

For more than 20 years, this one-of-a-kind global competition has challenged undergraduate and graduate students, along with early-career professionals, to tackle real-world problems facing the food and agriculture industry. It's where raw talent transforms into industry-ready expertise, and bold ideas become breakthrough solutions.

The challenge is clear: How will we feed a growing planet? IFAMA believes the answer starts here—with students and young professionals who dare to reimagine what's possible. The Student Case Competition isn't just about testing skills; it's about igniting careers in one of the world's most vital sectors, opening doors to global networks, professional mentorship, and opportunities that extend far beyond the competition floor.

Elite teams from universities and institutions worldwide converge to compete across multiple intensive rounds, each one raising the stakes. Only the strongest survive to the final stage, where they'll present their groundbreaking solutions to an international audience of industry leaders at the Business Forum during the IFAMA 2026 World Conference in Ireland.

Download this document for info about flights, trains and buses, as well as lodging, meals and local attractions.

Thank you all for a fantastic IFAMA 2025. I had the pleasure of participating in the Student Case Competition, and hearing from the diverse range of food and agricultural professionals. I am forever grateful for the takeaways.

IFAMA 2025 Conference Attendee

Eligibility and Team Guidelines

The 2026 competition accommodates three divisions: undergraduate students; graduate students; and early-career professionals (under 35 years old). Teams consist of 3-5 members.

• Undergraduate teams: Must include only undergraduates
• Graduate/Professional teams: May be mixed, but must be primarily comprised of members within that category
• Multiple teams per university: Allowed
• International teams: Individual applicants welcome—we'll help form teams of individuals across universities
• Membership requirement: All team members must hold current IFAMA membership

Competition Structure

Each team requires either an academic or industry advisor who serves as the primary contact with IFAMA. While advisors help students prepare, teams must work independently during the competition. Scoring rubrics will be provided in advance.

Preliminary Round

Teams gather for a group meeting before competition begins. Complete details and start times provided in advance.

• 4 hours to analyze the case and submit PowerPoint slides
• 1 hour break before presentations
• 30-minute presentation slot: 5 minutes setup, 15 minutes presentation, 10 minutes Q&A with judges
• All team members must have comparable speaking roles
• Presentations are public, but competing teams may not attend each other's presentations

*All non-advancing teams are encouraged to attend all other activities occurring during the Academic Symposium and Business Forum.

Semi-Final Round

The top five teams per division advance to the Semi-Final Round on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Teams will complete one of the following:

1. Revise their Preliminary Round presentation with further guidance from Competition Chairs
2. Prepare a revised presentation based on a case addendum
   *Complete instructions will be provided closer to the competition and it is subject to change.
   

Grand Finale

The top two teams per division advance to the Grand Finale during the Business Forum on Wednesday–Thursday, June 17 - 18, 2026.

• 25-minute presentation slot: 15 minutes presentation, 10 minutes Q&A
• Winners formally recognized at the IFAMA Presidential Banquet and Awards Ceremony
• Cash awards and prizes to be announced

Bring Your Team

This “Bring Your Team” guide is your all-in-one overview of the IFAMA 2026 Student Case Competition—perfect for sharing with teammates, professors, academic advisors, or supervisors to make the case for participating. It highlights the career benefits, preparation tips, budgeting guidance, and student-focused conference activities, all in one place. Use it to spark interest, recruit teammates, answer key questions quickly, and build momentum to register your team for this global, career-building experience.

Timeline

12 Mar  |   Preparation Workshop: Q & A session with SCC Chairs

15 Apr   |   Deadline to submit an application for Teams and Individuals

15 May   |  Deadline to register for conference

14 Jun   |   Teams Orientation (Sunday) (Teams should arrive in Cork on Saturday)

15 Jun   |   Student Case Competition Preliminary Round 1 (Monday)  

16 Jun   |   Student Case Competition – Semi Finals Round 2, Grand Finalists announced (Tuesday)

17 - 18 Jun  |  Grand Finale presentations during the Business Forum (Wednesday and Thursday)

18 Jun   |   Awards presented during Presidential Banquet (Thursday evening)

Tickets

          

How to Register

STEP 1: Become an IFAMA Member   All team members must hold current IFAMA membership ($25 USD). Join at: www.ifama.org/join-now. Students and Young Professionals can get a FREE one-year IFAMA membership if joining before 28 February, 2026 (Free Student Membership).

STEP 2: Submit Your Application

For Teams   Complete the Team Application Form and upload to: http://ifama.submittable.com/submit (One application per team)

For Individuals   Complete the Individual Application Form to join an international team. We'll match unaffiliated applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.

STEP 3: Attend the Preparatory Workshop   A recorded online workshop and Q&A session will be offered on 12-March for all participating teams, advisors, and interested applicants.

STEP 4: Register for the Conference   Upon acceptance, all team members and advisors must register for the IFAMA 2026 World Conference.

• Early Bird discount for conference registration: 27-March, 2026
• Team/Individual registration deadline: 11-June, 2026
• Registration includes: All four days of the conference (15–18 June, 2026)

Additional Activites for Students and Young Professionals

The IFAMA International Mentoring Program aims to connect young professionals with global mentors for a unique networking experience based on their goals, ambitions, and interests. More details will be provided during the IFAMA 2026 World Conference. We aim to match 12 pairs for year-long mentoring relationships.

A special Speed Networking Session will turbo-charge connections between executives and more than 150 young professionals attending the conference. Companies can showcase their brand, identify talent, and explore potential hires, while students and early-career professionals gain direct access to global agribusiness leaders, career insights, and international networking opportunities.

Quiz Bowl brings students and young professionals together for a lively evening of agribusiness trivia at a local eatery. This two-hour event features five rounds of questions combining general knowledge and agricultural expertise. Teams of four will be formed at the door to encourage networking and friendly competition. Tickets include food and drinks. Join us to test your knowledge, unwind, and connect with fellow conference attendees in a fun, engaging setting. Details coming soon.

The IFAMA Young Board is hosting a special session targeted to students and young professionals. Bridging the Missing Middle: Connecting Early Career Professionals and Academia. Early career professionals who move directly into the private sector often find themselves caught between two worlds — no longer students, yet without a meaningful platform to engage alongside academics. This Symposium session addresses that gap, creating a structured space where industry professionals and IFAMA academics connect as peers around applied projects, strengthening the full early career pipeline while maintaining academic rigor.

2026 Student Case Competition Co-Chairs

Why Compete?

Download the Poster

Apply for the Event

All team members must be current IFAMA members. Download and complete the team or unaffiliated individual application below.

Team Application

Unaffiliated Individual Application

After you have completed the form, use the information on the form to register online, by clicking the button below. Please register your team by April 15, 2026.

Submit Your Application Here

What Previous Sponsors Say

"As we navigate the global energy transition, the future of sustainable agriculture depends on the innovative minds we cultivate today. The IFAMA Student Case Competition demonstrates this perfectly—watching talented students tackle real-world challenges with fresh perspectives reinforces my confidence in the next generation of agribusiness leaders. At Atvos, we believe fostering this caliber of talent is essential for building a more resilient food and energy system. These students represent the transformative thinking needed to drive Brazil's leadership in the global bioenergy sector."

BRUNO SERAPIÃO, CEO, Atvos |
2025 Student Case Competition Sponsor

"It was a great pleasure for SLC Agrícola to sponsor the IFAMA 2025 Student Case Competition. The experience of seeing students and professionals at the beginning of their careers from around the world analyzing our challenges and proposing innovative solutions reinforces the importance of the connection between academia and practice in agribusiness."

AURÉLIO PAVINATO, CEO, SLC Agrícola |
2025 Student Case Competition Sponsor

JUAN JOSE BOLANOS
Student Case Competition Co-Chair
Ceiba Consulting Co., Costa Rica

LUIS UMANA TIMMS
Student Case Competition Co-Chair
Global Agroindustrial Business School, Spain