Biochar Award Nominations Now Open
We’re now accepting nominations for all four categories of the 2026 North American Biochar Conference Awards.
Do you know someone who’s driving progress in biochar research, innovation, mentorship, or industry impact? Help us recognize the people shaping our industry’s future and nominate them for the category that best fits their contributions.
The nominees should perform work, research or business operations in North America, and they must be a resident or actively engaged in work within North America. Award winners will be announced and recognized during the 2026 North American Biochar Conference.
Nominations are due September 30!
Awards and Nominee Criteria
Tom Miles Visionary Leadership Award
Named in honor of Thomas Miles, one of the pioneers who led the initial coordination efforts that grew into the United States Biochar Initiative (now ABI) starting in 2006, this award recognizes an exemplary leader whose visionary contributions have significantly advanced the biochar industry.
Industry Champion Award
This award honors outstanding achievements in the biochar industry that have made a significant and measurable positive impact on advancing the industry’s growth, adoption, and standards. Recipients have demonstrated biochar practices or business initiations that have had a significant impact and shown leadership or advocacy for biochar adoption.
The Larson Founders Award for Students*
Recognizes a full-time student pursuing studies related to soil health, climate mitigation, material sciences, environmental sciences, or similar fields, with potential for contribution to the biochar sector. The recipient will receive one free admission to the 2026 North American Biochar Conference, which provides a unique opportunity to build knowledge and build their professional network.
*Nominees must be full-time students with a strong academic record and the ability to attend the conference.
Research Excellence Award
Honors an individual who has made outstanding research contributions to the field of biochar in either academia or industry. The recipient will have demonstrated a commitment to advancing biochar knowledge through impactful and innovative research. Nominees should have made significant contributions that advance scientific understanding or practical applications of biochar, maintained a strong record of publishing and sharing research findings, and had a clear impact on the growth and evolution of the biochar sector through knowledge-sharing and innovation.