Global Biofuel Champion Fellowship (GBCF) – Application Form

The Global Biofuel Champion Fellowship (GBCF) is a flagship one-year global fellowship program launched by the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) to support early-career researchers working on applied, real-world challenges across the biofuels value chain.

The Fellowship is launched and implemented by the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA), a multi-stakeholder international alliance formed in 2023 under India’s G20 leadership, comprising 33 countries and 14 international organizations.

The Fellowship aims to:

• Develop a pool of young, globally connected biofuel leaders
• Address critical challenges across the biofuels value chain
• Generate implementable research outcomes for policymakers and industry
• Strengthen global cooperation in biofuels and sustainable energy

Up to 15 fellows will be selected annually.

The Fellowship duration is one year (12 months).

Applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

• Existing Master’s or PhD students with at least one year remaining in their program
• Researchers at NGOs, think tanks, or research institutions with at least one year remaining in their contract or role

Applicants should have a background or strong interest in biofuels, bioenergy, environment, or sustainability.

Yes.Applicants from all countries are welcome to apply.

No. There is no application fee for the GBCF Fellowship.

Yes. Every application must include:

• A Letter of Endorsement from a recognized institution
• A Letter of Support from a mentor at the applicant’s institution

Both letters must follow the prescribed formats.

The mentor’s Letter of Support must be provided by a mentor from the applicant’s home institution

No. The mentor’s Letter of Support is independent of the GBA Mentorship Committee. The GBA Mentorship Committee will be constituted separately after the selection of fellows and does not play any role in issuing or endorsing the Letter of Support.

No. The Fellowship is not open to postdoctoral researchers or faculty members. It is intended for existing Master’s and PhD students, and researchers at NGOs, think tanks, or research institutions who meet the eligibility criteria.

The Fellowship supports applied research aligned with the GBCF thematic areas covering key challenges across the biofuels value chain (as outlined in the Fellowship call).

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Relevance to GBCF thematic areas
• Technical and methodological soundness
• Feasibility and implementability
• Policy and industry impact potential
• Applicant’s academic and professional background

Selected fellows will receive:

• A lump-sum research grant of up to USD 15,000
• Mentorship from global biofuel experts
• Opportunities for global networking with industry, policymakers, and researchers
• Professional exposure through GBA publications and events
• Opportunity to serve as GBA Ambassadors for two years after completing the Fellowship

Fellowship funds may support:

• Procurement of specialized datasets, software, or research tools
• Pilot experiments or proof-of-concept studies
• Purchase of small laboratory equipment and consumables
• Travel for fieldwork or industrial collaborations
• Participation in policy consultations, advisory panels, or conferences
• Research lab or university visits for collaboration
• Dissemination webinars and prototype or pilot-scale development
• Engagement with incubators or accelerators

Ineligible expenses include:

• Purchase of personal assets (laptops, tablets, mobile phones)
• Routine living expenses (rent, food, personal travel, etc.)
• Salary, stipend, or honorarium for fellows or mentors
• Entertainment, hospitality, or non-research-related costs

Monitoring includes:

• Quarterly progress reports and review meetings with mentors and jury members
• Bi-monthly review meetings by the GBA Secretariat
• A final project closure report at the end of 12 months

Yes. All reports, working papers, policy briefs, and publications resulting from the Fellowship must formally acknowledge the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) and the contributing GBA mentors. Selected outputs may be featured on GBA platforms.

Applicants must submit:

• Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages)
• Research Proposal (up to 4 pages)
• Letter of Endorsement from the applicant’s institution
• Letter of Support from the institutional mentor

Applications must be submitted online through the GBA website.
Key timelines:

• Applications are closed now
• Results Announcement: 27 January 2026 (tentative)
• Fellowship Start Date: April 2026

For any questions, please contact:
The Secretariat, Global Biofuels Alliance

Email: thesecretariat@biofuelsalliance.com; rahul.jain@biofuelsalliance.com