The IFT Student Association (IFTSA) is committed to engaging student members from around the world to utilize their scientific skills to serve a bigger cause. The IFTSA Developing Solutions for Developing Countries (DSDC) product development competition promotes the application of food science and technology and the development of new products and processes that are targeted at improving the quality of life for people in developing countries.
The Developing Solutions for Developing Countries competition is sponsored by Cargill.
2024–2025 Winners
- First Place: TesfaTena, McGill University
- Second Place: JipNut, Bogor Agricultural University
- Third Place: The Kijani Bar, North Carolina State University
Awards
Each finalist team will receive a reimbursement for team travel and registration to IFT FIRST up to $1,800. Winners will be announced at the IFTSA Closing Ceremony. Prize amounts are as follows.
- First Place: $3,000
- Second Place: $1,500
- Third Place: $500
Eligibility
Teams for this competition should have at least one Institute of Food Technologists student member at the time of submission. All team members must be students enrolled in the fall semester of the competition year. There may be only five submissions from each institution. Complete eligibility details are included in the competition guidelines document.
2025-2026 Theme
Develop a nutritious and affordable food product that utilizes by-products or surplus from selected local agricultural/food processing industries and demonstrates a circular economy approach by reducing waste, generating added value for local supply chains, and supporting community-level economic development in a developing country context.
2025–2026 Competition Submission and Deadlines
Preliminary applications for this competition close February 1, 2026
Sample Verification Letter (PDF)
Competition Chair
Felicitas Tuku Ewunsoh, Purdue University