The Renewable Fuels Association and the Renewable Fuels Foundation (RFF) are offering scholarships for young adults interested in attending the 27th annual National Ethanol Conference, scheduled for Feb. 21-23 in New Orleans. Members of RFA’s Young Professionals Network are also eligible for consideration for the first time, in addition to college students.
Now in its 13th year, the program is named in honor of Robert “Bob” Sather, an educator who helped found RFA member company Ace Ethanol in Wisconsin. Sather was a past Chair of the Renewable Fuels Foundation. The aim of the Bob Sather Memorial Scholarship is to reach young adults aspiring to a career related to ethanol and open new doors and present new perspectives on biofuels’ place in our world today and beyond. The program provides eligible applicants with opportunities to hear from and engage with top industry leaders, policymakers, and academic and technical experts.
“As we prepare to gather once again at the U.S. ethanol industry’s most widely attended annual conference, we want to continue to provide young adults the opportunity to experience the educational and networking benefits of the National Ethanol Conference,” said Bill Pracht, chairman of RFF and CEO of East Kansas Agri-Energy. “We highly recommend this scholarship to any student studying in the fields of agriculture, economics, marketing or renewable energy, and we are likewise pleased to now offer assistance to young professionals in the industry who otherwise would not have been able to attend.”
The scholarships fully cover the registration fee, hotel, and up to $500 in airfare; a total of five will be awarded. Interested college students are asked to submit a 500-word essay explaining how their attendance at the NEC will help them achieve their future goals. They should also submit two letters of recommendation and an up-to-date resume, as well as a current college transcript.
Interested members of the RFA Young Professionals Network need to complete the application questions and provide a resume and letter of recommendation from a supervisor or someone else familiar with their qualifications. They also need their supervisor’s signature on the application.
For complete application details and to apply, visit www.nationalethanolconference.com/scholarships. Applications are due Jan. 14.