The Renewable Fuels Association is giving six college students the chance to attend the 2011 National Ethanol Conference: Building Bridges to a More Sustainable Future, for free. The ethanol conference (NEC) will be held in Phoenix, Arizona February 20-22, 2011 and is one of the longest running ethanol conferences in the country. The NEC is known for delivering accurate, timely information on marketing, legislative and regulatory issues facing the ethanol industry, which makes it a perfect arena for college students interested in renewable fuels to network with ethanol industry leaders, policymakers and experts.

“America’s energy security will one day rest in the hands of our country’s youth,” said Mike Jerke, RFF Chairman and General Manager of Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company. “We encourage students to attend the National Ethanol Conference to network with industry leaders and learn how important alternative fuels like ethanol are to our independence on foreign oil and our economy.”

The scholarships will cover the cost of the NEC registration fee – a $775 value – enabling winning students the opportunity to attend the event at no cost. Recipients will be responsible for all other costs associated with travel to/from the conference, including airfare, hotel and non-conference meals. Additional financial assistance to offset travel expenses may be available at the discretion of the RFF/RFA.

To be considered for the scholarship, applicants must explain in detail how this scholarship will assist them in achieving their academic and/or career goals – all in 500 words or less. In addition, students must provide two letters of recommendation, a current resume and an official school transcript. This scholarship opportunity is open only to those students attending a U.S. institution of higher learning and enrolled in an approved ethanol-related program. All applications must be submitted by November 30, 2010. Click here to download the application and to learn more about next year’s NEC conference.