Call for Entries: GBEP Youth Award (Africa)

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 2025 edition, the selected awardee will have the opportunity to present their research during a special session at the 12th GBEP Bioenergy Week, taking place in Kampala, Uganda. 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!

Benefits

• 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 2025.

Eligibility Criteria

• The 2025 GBEP Youth Award is open solely to students or early-career researchers from African universities, showcasing the talents and contributions of young people on the continent.
• Academic status
  • Applicants must be current students (Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD) at a recognized institution or recent graduates who completed their research and graduated after December 2024.
• 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
  • Quality and clarity of presentation
  • Degree of innovation
  • Relevance to the scientific and development community

Application Requirements

• Completed application form;
• 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 2024 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.

For more information, visit FAO.