IFAMA World Conferences convene members from academia, industry, government, NGOs, and young professionals from around the world to share, learn, explore, and build upon the latest research trends and innovations currently shaping the agribusiness sector. We are pleased to announce that the IFAMA 2025 Student Case Competition, sponsored by SLC Agricola, will be hosted in Ribeirão Preto, Brazil as part of the 35th annual World Conference, 23–26 June 2025, on the theme: Leveraging Food and Bioenergy with Innovation and Sustainability.

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Guidelines

For 20 years, IFAMA has annually hosted the only global agribusiness competition for students, graduate-level, and early career professionals who are pursuing careers in the food and agriculture sector—establishing itself as a premier event showcasing the next generation of talent and future leaders.

IFAMA knows that the future of feeding people on the planet rests in the hands of the next generation and we actively promote the food and ag sector as an industry of choice, providing experiences that nurture professional development and career advancement.

Teams from top universities and institutions worldwide convene to demonstrate their analytical and problem-solving skills on a global stage.

The competition occurs over several days and progressively advances in complexity through an elimination process that identifies the top tier teams who will pitch their solutions before the entire congress during the Business Forum at the 2025 World Conference in Brazil.

Team Structure

The 2025 competition provides an opportunity for teams to compete in one of three divisions:

Undergraduate Students 
Graduate Students 
Early Career Professionals. should be under 35-years old.

Teams can have 3–5 members. A current IFAMA membership is required for all team members.

Undergraduate teams must be comprised of only undergraduates. Mixed teams are allowed among the graduate and young professional levels; however, the team must be primarily composed of members within that category. Universities or companies are welcome to send multiple teams to compete. 

A person who is not already on a team but would like to compete can join an International team by submitting an individual application. Once all applications are received, IFAMA will make every effort to pair individuals with other unattached students or young professionals in level-appropriate divisions. To apply, submit an Unaffiliated Individual Application and we will contact you once all the applications are received. A special rate fee is available for people who apply to join an International team.

Role of the Advisor

Each team must have either an academic or industry advisor. The advisor will be the key point of contact between IFAMA and the team prior to the competition. Although advisors play a major role in helping students prepare for the competition, students must work independently from their advisor during the competition. Students and advisors will be given the scoring rubric to be used by the judges after enrolling in the competition.

Preliminary Rounds

Please Note: The structure and delivery of the 2025 Student Case Competition will occur differently than in previous years. All teams should plan to arrive in Ribeirão Preto no later than Saturday 21-June. The Preliminary Round will start on Sunday 22-June.  A briefing meeting will be scheduled on Sunday morning (exact time to be announced). Teams will receive instructions and the case study (Case A) during the briefing meeting. 

Each team will have until until 6AM on Monday, 23-June to analyze the case, develop a solution and create a PowerPoint presentation that showcases their plan. Teams will begin making presentations before judges comprised of members representing both industry and academia on Monday, 23-June. The team presentations are open to people attending the conference but participating teams may not attend the presentations of other  teams competing in the competition, nor can their advisors provide any feedback to the teams during the competition.

Approximately 25 minutes will be allocated for each presentation: 5 minutes for set up, 15 minutes for the presentation, and 5 minutes for a question and answer period with the judges. Teams will be evaluated based on their written documents, presentation, and responses to the judges’ questions. All Preliminary teams will be judged during the morning of 23-June.

Semi Finals
Advancing teams will be announced during lunch on 23-June. Immediately following lunch, the advancing teams will receive a second challenge (Case B). These teams will have until Tuesday, 24-June at 8:00AM to develop and incorporate the new strategy into their presentations. The teams will present before a second panel of judges (time to be announced) on Tuesday afternoon. The advancing Grand Finale finalists will be announced during the Welcome Reception on Tuesday, 24-June.

Grand Finale Round

The top two or three teams selected by the judges in each division will be invited to advance to a Finals Round on Monday, 23-June for another day of preparations. These teams will be showcased in Grand Finale sessions during the Business Forum on Wednesday and Thursday (25-June and 26-June) before a panel of high-level judges and conference attendees.

Winners in each division will be formally recognized during the IFAMA awards ceremony on Thursday, 26-June. Cash prizes and internship opportunities will be awarded.

Conference Registration Prices

Register for Conference here

Timeline

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

15 May   |   Deadline to register for conference

21 Jun   |   Teams arrival deadline (Saturday)

22 Jun   |   Student Case Competition Preliminary Round 1 (Sunday) Team orientation and case assigned 

23 Jun   |   Student Case Competition – Preliminary Round 1 Presentations

23 Jun   |  Semi Finalists announced. Semi Finals Round 2 for advancing teams

24 Jun  |   Semi Finalist Round 2 Judging and Grand Finale advancing finalists announced

25-26 Jun  |  Grand Finale presentations during the Business Forum

26 Jun   |   Awards presented during Presidential Banquet 

2025 Student Case Competition Co-chairs

Why Compete?

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Registration

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, 2024.

Submit Your Application Here

Questions?

Questions regarding any aspect of this competition may be directed to Kathryn White: conference@ifama.org

Learn More

About the IFAMA Student Case Competition