Dairy Management Inc. (DMI) is accepting entries for its 2027 New Product Competition, challenging undergraduate and graduate students across the United States to develop innovative dairy-based products for consumers seeking sustained energy.
The annual competition gives tomorrow’s product developers an opportunity to apply their knowledge and creativity to develop dairy products that respond to current consumer and marketplace needs.
The 2027 competition focuses on a changing consumer definition of energy. Rather than seeking a quick energy boost, consumers increasingly are looking for consistent, steady energy to support performance throughout the day. They are seeking products that can help them maintain energy, reduce fatigue, improve stamina and support better sleep.
“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. “This year’s focus on sustained energy gives students an opportunity to explore new and creative ways to use dairy to meet an important consumer need.”
Successful entries will demonstrate innovation, consumer value and the effective use of dairy ingredients. Products must contain more than 51% dairy ingredients by weight and provide at least a good source of dairy protein.
The competition is open to undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities during the 2026-2027 academic year, including students graduating in May or August 2027. Students may enter individually or as teams under the supervision of a faculty adviser.
The deadline for 2027 contest submissions is Feb. 1, 2027.
A total of $27,000 in cash prizes will be awarded:
· Platinum Dairy Innovator Award – $10,000 for first place
· Gold Dairy Innovator Award – $7,000 for second place
· Silver Dairy Innovator Award – $4,000 for third place
· Dairy Innovator Awards – $2,000 each for three additional finalist teams
Six teams will advance to Phase 2, where they will submit their products for evaluation and present their concepts to a panel of dairy industry and DMI experts. The top three teams will be invited to attend and be recognized at the American Dairy Science Association Annual Meeting, June 27-30, 2027, in Raleigh, N.C.
To learn more about the 2027 consumer and marketplace opportunity, view 2027 Challenge: Consumer and Marketplace Insights. Questions about the competition can be directed to Kapoor at rohit.kapoor@dairy.org
