Food Security Innovation Student Data Challenge - 4/9

University of Maryland is part of the Food Security Innovation Student Data Challenge - a national competition focused on reducing food insecurity and using predictive modeling for agricultural resiliency. Students will work in teams of 3-5 and use databases and AI innovations to tackle problems in food access, nutrition, and agricultural food systems. The work is within the Track 1 competition and will include competing in a three-day data competition on creating predictive modeling for nutrition, food security, and agriculture resiliency. There will be opportunities to connect with industry and win the $2,000 cash prize given to the winning team.

 

Key dates:

• Info webinar: March 9 at 5pm
• Competition weekend: April 10–13, 2026 (in-person opportunities at UMD and/or virtual)

Use this link to fill out our University of Maryland student interest form. Teams and individuals should use this link to register for the March 9 webinar (5pm) and learn more about the competition. The webinar will be recorded and circulated for those unable to join. 

 

This challenge is hosted by National Food Security Innovation Hub (NAFSI) through a NSF grant with our UMD-funded NourishNet team. NourishNet builds tools, such as FoodLoops, to recover and redistribute surplus food, helps reduce food waste through community/campus partnerships, and develops tech (like Quantum Nose – a food spoilage detection sensor) to ensure recovered food is fresh. 

 

The University of Maryland contact for the student data challenge is Radha Subramanian radha@umd.edu. Please feel free to reach out to Radha with questions or to coordinate team formation. Please note that students outside of University of Maryland are eligible to compete on a UMD-led team or their own team, as long as they are a full-time University student.

Please circulate the flyer widely. We are excited to support and work with the students teams on this real-world data challenge to impact food system resiliency.