Beth Calabotta Sustainability Education Grant

Established: 2018

The Beth Calabotta Sustainability Education Grant provides financial support to deserving full-time students interested in science, research, and biodiesel sustainability. The grant helps prepare students for roles in a competitive workforce while strengthening innovation in the biomass-based diesel and agriculture industries.

Focus Areas

Students may highlight work in:

• Biodiesel and renewable diesel research
• Development of feedstock and fuel production
• Sustainability engineering
• Product lifecycle assessment
• Industrial ecology
• General energy studies
• Sustainable agriculture and artificial intelligence applications for feedstock resilience

Eligibility

• Must be a U.S. citizen
• Must be a full-time student
• Academic or research work must support initiatives in the clean fuels industry
• Focus on sustainability-related research and education
• Must commit to attending Clean Fuels Alliance America's Sustainability Workshop (April 27-29, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri) if selected

Award Use

• $3,000 award to one student per year
• Funds should be used to cover costs of attending the Sustainability Workshop and related pre- and post-activities
• Remaining funds may be applied toward academic expenses

About Beth Calabotta

Beth served as the Foundation's most influential director for over 10 years, playing an integral role in advancing the Foundation's research and education efforts. She had an unquenchable love for agriculture and life sciences, and later focused almost solely on developing biofuels as viable energy alternatives to conventional fuels. The grant was established in 2017-2018 to memorialize her lifetime achievements and dedication to biodiesel sustainability and research.

Selection Process

Winner is selected based on:

• Quality and rigor of research
• Alignment with biodiesel sustainability
• Connection to Sustainability Workshop themes
• Data-driven work promoting clean energy policies

Recent Winners

• 2026: Janice Shiu, Graduate student at University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign, Computer Science
• 2025: Courtney Videchak, PhD recipient

Geographic Scope

Geographic Focus: United States (U.S. citizens only)

Funder Location: Jefferson City, Missouri

Contact Information

Address: PO Box 104898, Jefferson City, MO 65110-4898

About the Foundation

Organized in 1994, the Foundation works closely with Clean Fuels Alliance America to address national issues affecting cleaner air, greater economic development for rural communities, and enhanced national security through energy independence.

Application Process

1. Complete Online Application on the Clean Fuels Foundation website at cleanfuelsfoundation.org
2. Required Materials:
   • Two references (name and contact information only)
   • Information about your sustainability-related research or academic work
   • Evidence of U.S. citizenship and full-time student status
   • Details about your work in areas such as biodiesel research, renewable diesel, feedstock development, sustainability engineering, or related fields
3. Submission Details:
   • Submit through the online application portal at cleanfuelsfoundation.org
   • Application is opened annually (next opening September 2027)
4. Commitment Requirement:
   • If selected, recipient must commit to attending Clean Fuels Alliance America's Sustainability Workshop (April 27-29, 2026, in Kansas City, Missouri)
5. Timeline:
   • Application window: Typically September through January
   • Winner announcement: Late February (following year)