Checkoff Launches Dairy Health Innovation Contest for Students
Contact: Scott Wallin
ROSEMONT, Ill. – Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) is now accepting entries for its 2026 New Product Competition, inviting undergraduate and graduate students across the U.S. to develop innovative dairy-based products that meet today’s consumer demands for bone and muscle health and weight management.
This annual contest challenges students to create forward-thinking products that showcase the power and versatility of dairy in promoting health and wellness. The deadline for entries is Jan. 12.
As consumers increasingly seek functional foods to support active and healthy lifestyles, dairy’s nutrient-rich profile presents a major opportunity. The competition encourages students to tap into current industry and consumer insights, aiming to bring fresh dairy-based concepts to market.
Products should target one or more of the following benefits:
- Bone Health
- Muscle Health
- Weight Management
"This competition is about more than innovation – it's about preparing the next generation of food and dairy leaders to respond to evolving consumer needs with dairy at the center," said Dr. Rohit Kapoor, vice president of product research at DMI.
Finalists will have their entries evaluated by a panel of industry experts and will be recognized at the 2026 American Dairy Science Association Annual Meeting, June 21-24 in Milwaukee, Wisc.
Cash prizes will be awarded, including:
- Platinum Dairy Innovator Award – $10,000 (1st place)
- Gold Dairy Innovator Award – $7,000 (2nd place)
- Silver Dairy Innovator Award – $4,000 (3rd place)
- Dairy Innovator Awards – $2,000 each (for three additional teams completing Phase 2)
To learn more about product criteria and marketplace insights, view the “2026 Challenge: Consumer and Marketplace Insights” at USDairy.com.
For contest rules and entry details, visit www.usdairy.com/research-resources/new-product-competition and for questions, contact Kapoor at rohit.kapoor@dairy.org
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About Dairy Management Inc.
Dairy Management Inc.™ (DMI) is funded by more than 24,000 dairy farmers and dairy importers. DMI manages the national checkoff program and collaborates with state and regional checkoff teams across the United States to boost domestic and global dairy sales through research, education and marketing initiatives. The checkoff also is focused on fostering consumer trust in dairy products and the farm families behind them. DMI manages National Dairy Council and founded the U.S. Dairy Export Council, Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, Newtrient and GENYOUth.
