Event Overview

The GAIN Student Challenge returns in November 2025 for its fourth edition! This unique, two-day challenge will bring together 50 students from across the Netherlands to co-develop, alongside peers from a Sub-Saharan African University, sustainable and innovative solutions to real-world food system challenges from one of GAIN’s projects.

Building on the success of previous editions, this year’s challenge continues to offer students a platform to engage directly with GAIN's mission of improving the consumption of healthier diets for all, especially the most vulnerable population, raising awareness on our work on nutrition, food security and food systems.

GAIN wants to engage students in our work - we want youth input on a real project which we are currently working on. We purposefully chose a multi-disciplinary approach and encourage students from various backgrounds to participate - this resonates with our belief that malnutrition cannot be solved by one sector alone, but can be ended within our lifetime if there is cooperation between different sectors.
 

About the Challenge

The Student Challenge is designed to:

• Raise awareness among students about the global nutrition landscape and food system challenges
• Offer practical, hands-on experience through collaboration on GAIN’s current projects
• Encourage interdisciplinary teamwork and creative problem-solving
• Build student capacity in pitching ideas and working in international, cross-cultural teams

During the challenge, students will attend expert-led sessions, receive coaching on interdisciplinary collaboration and pitching, and gain insights into the link between food systems and nutrition.

The winners will receive a broader platform to present their solution – they will be invited to speak in front of GAIN’s respective project team, GAIN’s Senior Management team and Executive Director, and other relevant stakeholders. Their solutions might even be implemented in the field!
 

Eligibility

The GAIN Student Challenge 2025 is open to:

• Bachelor students (final 2 years) and Master students currently enrolled at Dutch universities (HBO or WO)
• Students who are living in the Netherlands at the time of the event
• Individuals from any academic discipline – we encourage diversity in academic, cultural, and personal backgrounds
• Students who are motivated to tackle real-world food system challenges and want to contribute to GAIN’s mission of improving access to healthier diets
• Participants who are available to attend the full two-day challenge in November 2025, including the overnight stay

There are no participation fees, and GAIN will provide meals and accommodation for all selected participants.
 

Why Participate

• Learn about (the challenges of improving) international food systems and nutrition
• Engage with real-world projects of a global non-profit organisation as GAIN
• Receive expert coaching to work in interdisciplinary teams
• Learn to pitch a solution to a professional jury
• Connect with (international) students from across the Netherlands and network with professionals in the field of food systems and nutrition

Logistics and Registration

The student challenge will take place on November 2025 (dates to be confirmed) at a central location in the Netherlands. The challenge is open to max. 50 students from Dutch universities (HBO and WO), living in the Netherlands. Both Bachelor (final 2 years) and Master students are welcome, and we encourage students from all study backgrounds: diversity in personal, cultural, and academic backgrounds is valued for creative problem-solving.

There are no participation fees, and GAIN will provide food and accommodation for all participants.

Interested in registering? 

Please write a letter of motivation including:

• Full name
• Field of study and title of your programme
• University
• Year of study
• Age and gender
• What you believe you bring to the challenge
• Main motivation for participating

Only after submitting your letter of motivation will you receive a registration link with the next steps.

Curious About Last Student Challenge?