Foundation Opens Beth Calabotta Sustainability Grant
The Clean Fuels Alliance Foundation is accepting applications for a $3,000 sustainability education award, with a January 25, 2027 deadline.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Scholarships
The Clean Fuels Alliance Foundation has opened applications for the Beth Calabotta Sustainability Education Grant, which offers a $3,000 award to one student scientist. Janice Shiu was named the 2026 grant recipient.
Why it matters
The grant supports students pursuing research in biodiesel, renewable diesel, feedstock and fuel production, and sustainability engineering. The program is aimed at developing the next generation of researchers in renewable fuels.
The grant is a single $3,000 award open to U.S. citizens, who must submit two references with their application. Recipients must attend the Clean Fuels Alliance America Sustainability Workshop, and the 2027 selection will be made after the January 25 deadline.
The players
Clean Fuels Alliance Foundation
The foundation is the charitable arm of Clean Fuels Alliance America, supporting education and research in the renewable fuels sector.
Janice Shiu
Shiu is the 2026 recipient of the Beth Calabotta Sustainability Education Grant.
Colin Huwyler
Huwyler is president of Optimus Technologies and chairs the foundation's scholarship committee.
The details
Applicants complete the application on the Foundation website, and eligible research areas include biodiesel and renewable diesel research, feedstock and fuel production, sustainability engineering, product lifecycle assessment, industrial ecology, and general energy studies. Grant funds are to be used for travel to the workshop, with any remaining money applied to academic expenses.
Timeline
August: U.S. biodiesel capacity fell by 65 MMgy.
October 30: The EIA released capacity data.
2018: The Beth Calabotta grant was established.
2026: Janice Shiu was named the grant recipient.
January 25, 2027: Application deadline; winner announced in February 2027.
Legacy Program
The Beth Calabotta Sustainability Education Grant, established in 2018, continues to fund student research in renewable fuels. The 2027 call extends that program to a new cohort of applicants.
Eligible U.S. citizens can apply through the Foundation website by submitting an application and two references before the January 25, 2027 deadline. The award is intended to cover travel to the April workshop in Kansas City, with leftover funds going toward academic costs.
The takeaway
Students interested in renewable fuels research should review the eligible study areas and assemble two references well before the January 25, 2027 deadline.
What happens next
Applications close January 25, 2027, the winner will be announced in February 2027, and the recipient must attend the Clean Fuels Alliance America Sustainability Workshop April 26-28, 2027, in Kansas City, Missouri.
Further reading
Explore more education scholarships for students pursuing research in energy and sustainability.
