$2,000 grant offered for the next generation of biodiesel scientists

The US National Biodiesel Foundation is offering a $2,000 grant for student scientists interested in researching biodiesel sustainability.

Dubbed the Beth Calabotta Sustainable Education Grant, the award is named after a chemical engineer at Monsanto who had a tenure as Director & Fellow of the company's Bioenergy Development Program. According to a statement, Calabotta’s career is notable for her dedication to biodiesel sustainability and indirect land use change (ILUC) research.

“Beth was an advocate for student development and a supporter of biofuel sustainability,” said Tom Verry, executive director for the National Biodiesel Foundation,

“The National Biodiesel Foundation is honoured to provide financial support to students following Beth’s passion to support advanced biofuels.”

To qualify, students must commit to participate in the Biodiesel Sustainability Workshop and related activities, scheduled for September 26-27 in St. Louis, Missouri. Grant funds may be used for participation, with the remaining funds applied toward academic expenses.

“Based on Beth’s work, the Foundation and the National Biodiesel Board want to continue building on the idea that adopting innovative technologies and diversifying markets will produce environmental benefits that can be documented through research and data,” states a press release explaining the motivation for the grant.

Further information on the grant, application criteria and the application forms themselves are available here.