Checkoff launches dairy health innovation contest for students

ROSEMONT, Ill. — Dairy Management Inc. is accepting entries for its 2026 New Product Competition, inviting undergraduate and graduate students across the United States 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 and 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 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 June 21-24 at the 2026 American Dairy Science Association Annual Meeting in Milwaukee.

Cash prizes will be awarded, including:

• Platinum Dairy Innovator Award — $10,000.

• Gold Dairy Innovator Award — $7,000.

• Silver Dairy Innovator Award — $4,000.

• Dairy Innovator Awards — $2,000 each, for three additional teams completing Phase 2.

To learn more about product criteria and marketplace insights, view “2026 Challenge: Consumer and Marketplace Insights” at www.usdairy.com/.

For contest rules and entry details, visit https://tinyurl.com/New-Product-Competition. For questions, contact Kapoor at rohit.kapoor@dairy.org.