2026 GBEP Youth Award Call for Papers

The GBEP Youth Award seeks to recognize and promote outstanding research in the field of bioenergy conducted by students and early-career researchers. This award focuses on diverse areas including environmental, social and economic sustainability, circular bioeconomy, bioenergy technologies, supply chain logistics, policy development, societal practices and addressing climate change.

For the 2026 edition, the selected awardee will have the opportunity to present their research during a special session at the 13th GBEP Bioenergy Week. The awardee will also receive their award certificate and have the opportunity to present their work at other relevant international events co-organized by GBEP throughout 2026.

Focus on the Americas

This year, the 2026 Award focuses exclusively on young people studying in the Americas (North, Central and South America, and the Caribbean), with the GBEP Youth Award being presented in the context of the GBEP Bioenergy Weeks, which are held annually in a different region of the world.

Whether you are pursuing an undergraduate, master’s or PhD degree, the GBEP Youth Award is your opportunity to step into the spotlight and demonstrate how your research can make a difference. If you are not eligible this year, stay tuned for future editions, which will focus on different regions!

Application process

To apply, candidates must submit the following by 31 March 2026 (23:59 CET) to [email protected]:

Completed application form (download the form here)

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Proof of student status

Current students must provide documentation confirming their enrollment (e.g., certificate of enrollment) or for recent graduates, a certificate of graduation or proof of research completion (graduates must have completed their studies in December 2025 or later).

Research poster

The poster should visually summarize the research, including the context, methodology, results, conclusions and its broader relevance to the bioenergy field.

Poster requirements: Posters must be legible at A0 size (84.1 × 118.9 cm) and should include a 10 cm blank white ribbon at the bottom for display purposes. The poster will be evaluated based on the clarity and presentation of ideas.

Eligibility criteria

Academic status

Applicants must be current students (Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD) or recent graduates who completed their research and graduated in or after December 2025.

Students must be enrolled at a recognized academic institution within the Americas — encompassing North, Central, and South America, as well as the Caribbean — irrespective of their citizenship.

Age limit (at time of application)

Bachelor’s and Master’s students: Must be 30 years old or younger.

PhD students: Must be 35 years old or younger.

Evaluation criteria

Applications will be evaluated based on the following key criteria:

Validity of results (25%)

Quality and clarity of presentation (25%)

Degree of innovation (25%)

Relevance to the scientific and development community (25%)

Selection process

31 March 2026: Application deadline

April 2026: All applications will be evaluated by a global panel of impartial experts.

End of April 2026: The successful candidate will be notified.

June 2026: The winner’s poster will be showcased at the 13th GBEP Bioenergy Week and promoted through various global communication channels.