Open to KDIS alumni and graduating students
2026 KDIS Policy Innovation Case Competition
One competition. A network that lasts.
Share your policy case and connect with the global KDIS community shaping the future of agriculture and forestry.
Submission deadline
—days —hrs —min —sec
· Opens
Who
KDIS alumni and graduating students working in or seeking to enter relevant fields: Agriculture and Forestry.
How
Submit a policy innovation case individually or in a team of up to three
What you gain
KRW 2.2 million Prize, expert feedback, global visibility, professional connections, and opportunities for future collaboration
Share a case. Find your peers. Build what comes next.
From the Manila conference to a lasting professional network
This competition is a follow-up initiative to the KDI School–ADB Joint Conference for Global Alumni, held on April 22–23, 2026, at the Asian Development Bank Headquarters in Manila, the Philippines.
“From Food Security to Smart Agriculture and Sustainable Forests: Korea's Development Pathways and Lessons for Asia and the Pacific”
Under that theme, the conference brought together experts and practitioners from ADB, the World Bank, governments, academia, the private sector, and the KDIS alumni community to exchange policy experiences and new ideas.
Building on those discussions, KDI School seeks to develop a lasting professional network through which alumni, graduating students, and sector experts can continue to exchange knowledge, learn from one another, and explore future collaboration. This competition is the first step in expanding that network.
Competition theme
Sustainable agriculture and forestry
We welcome policy and program cases covering areas such as:
- 01Food security and rural development
- 02Smart agriculture and agricultural technology
- 03Sustainable forest management
- 04Climate adaptation and resilience
- 05Green transition and natural resource management
- 06Institutional and governance innovation in agriculture and forestry and so on...
Watch, learn, and connect
Draw on the conference
Keynote presentations and session videos from the April KDIS-ADB conference are available NOW.
Participants are encouraged to revisit these sessions and draw inspiration from the experiences and insights shared by international experts.
Who can participate?
The competition is open to KDIS alumni and graduating students who:
- Currently work in agriculture, forestry, or a related field;
- Are involved in food security, rural development, climate action, or green transition;
- Have a strong interest in these areas and hope to pursue a related career; or
- Wish to deepen their professional knowledge and connections in these fields.
You may participate individually or in a team of up to three members.
Prior professional experience in the sector is not required; those preparing to enter the field are equally encouraged to apply.
Two things to submit
Both are required: a summary report and one piece of visual material.
Summary report
Required2–5 pages · English · A4
Submit a report in English, using A4 page format and covering the following:
- 01 TitleA concise and informative title
- 02 Executive SummaryThe case's main findings, outcomes, and policy implications
- 03 Policy ChallengeThe public problem identified and addressed
- 04 Policy InterventionThe program or project implemented, including its process and outcomes
- 05 Limitations and Future PlansRemaining challenges, possible improvements, and next steps
both are required
Visual material
RequiredPick one format
Evaluation
Submissions will be reviewed by a panel comprising ADB specialists, external sector experts, and KDIS faculty. Cases will be assessed according to three criteria:
Innovation
Does the case offer a distinctive or creative approach?
Diffusability
Can the approach be adapted or applied in other countries, regions, or institutions?
Institutionalization Potential
Can the initiative develop into a sustainable policy, program, or institution?
Every shortlisted case will receive expert feedback — regardless of whether it receives an award.
Awards
| Award | Recipients | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Most Innovative Case | 2 teams | KRW 500,000 |
| Most Diffusable Case | 2 teams | KRW 300,000 |
| Best Institutionalization Potential | 2 teams | KRW 300,000 |
| Participation Award | All participants | Commemorative gift |
Winning cases will be featured on the Alumni Policy Network webpage and promoted through KDIS newsletters and social media channels, including interviews with the winning teams.
Additional prizes may be available for KOICA alumni participants.
Key dates
- Submissions Open31 August 2026
- Submission Deadline11 October 2026
- Expert Review31 October 2026
- Results and Awards31 October 2026
Your experience can strengthen the network
For professionals already working in these fields, the competition offers an opportunity to share your achievements internationally and meet potential collaborators. For graduating students and those preparing to enter the sector, it provides a valuable chance to learn from real-world policy cases and connect with experienced practitioners.
If you work in this field—or hope to do so in the future—this network is for you.
We look forward to your participation and to seeing the ideas, experiences, and new connections that emerge from across the KDIS community.
Warm regards,
KDI School of Public Policy and Management