Environmental Biotechnology Network

Bioprocessing Entrepreneurship Scale-Up Challenge 2026 (BEST)

Date and venue: 2-6 Nov 2026, Durham  Applications are now open for BEST 2026, a 5-day residential programme for Early Career Researchers in bioprocessing, generating biological products for a range of biotechnological applications.  The programme offers industry-led training, real case studies and site visits, culminating in a Dragons’ Den-style pitch. …

Two new UKWIR reports on faecal indicator die-off and GHG emissions estimation

UK Water Industry Research (UKWIR) has released two new reports on areas of interest to EBNet members  –  especially those in the ESWS and N2O WGs. Faecal Indicator Organism die-off rates in UK rivers A better understanding of faecal indicator die-off rates is needed to help the water industry decide …

Elemental: The Future of Engineering Biology in Metal Recovery and Processing

Date and venue: 7 Oct 2026, Natural History Museum, London The Elemental Hub is running a 1-day event exploring the role of Engineering Biology in the environmental recovery and processing of metals. This event brings together researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and strategic organisations, the event to provide a platform for …

WasteEng 2026 Keynote for Integrated Bioconversion Workshop outcomes

Congratulations to Dr Meredith Barr, who leads EBNet’s Biochar WG, on her Keynote Lecture at WasteEng2026 on Scoping the Potential of Integrating Thermal, Thermochemical, and Biological Conversion Technologies. The presentation covered the outcomes of the joint BBNet/EBNet workshop she ran last year on Integration of thermal and bio-conversion technologies. A …

IBioIC Bioprocess Scale-Up Accelerator Competition

Deadline: 1 Sept 2026 The Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) is inviting bioprocess developers to apply for £10k Business Vouchers to support industry or academic led projects to scale, through access to the IBioIC FlexBIO Bioprocess Scale-up Centre. FlexBIO, hosted at Heriot-Watt University, bridges the gap between early-stage laboratory research …

A PFAS showcase on how microbes can transform emerging contaminants

Date: 4 August 2026 16:00 UK, online The Better Water for All Network+ invites participants to a webinar on Biotransformation of Emerging Organic Contaminants. The speaker is Dr Yaochun Yu of Stanford University. His talk will describe the biological processes behind contaminant removal, and how these processes can improve our …

Supergen Energy Networks: ECR Career Development Seedcorn Fund

Closing Date: 7 Sept 2026  The Supergen Energy Networks Hub is inviting Early Career Researchers to apply for funding for one of the following: Research Project – a research project which will help to develop one or more future research proposals within energy networks Secondment (Academic or Industry) – a …

Dr Angela Bywater

A very special set of congratulations from EBNet to Dr Angela Bywater, on her graduation this week with the award of PhD for a thesis on On-farm anaerobic digestion viability: policy perspectives and operational opportunities. Much of the work involved was carried out during her time  –  and in some …

Metagenomics and process performance – is the news getting out?

An interesting item from Suzy Hill, an Engineering Innovation Project Manager at United Utilities, in CIWEM’s News pages.  Talking to Jo Caird, the Editor of CIWEM’s Environment magazine, she briefly outlines how the Making Microbes Matter project is using metagenomics to analyse and track microbial communities with a view to improving …

Task 42: Overview of Current Developments on Biorefineries World-wide

Participants in the 34th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (EUBCE 2026, 19-22 May) in The Hague, Netherlands were able to hear IEA Bioenergy Task 42‘s Lead Richard Gosselink give an overview of current developments on biorefineries world-wide, accompanied by a poster presentation on the goals, work plans and achievements of …

CBE Calls for proposals – don’t miss these!

Deadline:  22 Sept 2026 The Circular Bio-Based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) is inviting proposals to develop innovative and sustainable bio-based solutions with a variety of funding types and across a range of topics. Examples particularly relevant to EBNet members include: Innovation actions – flagship Boosting biorefinery competitiveness through biotech …

CIWEM Journal special issue on microplastics – call for papers

The Water and Environmental Journal of the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) is hosting a Special Issue on Micro and nanoplastics and the Plastisphere in Aquatic Environments: Sources, Impacts, and Sustainable Mitigation Strategies. The journal is open to submissions from both members and non-members on key issues …

JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowships for Research in Japan

Deadline: 28 August 2026 This fellowship is supported by the Japan Society for Promotion of Science (JSPS), and is open to all fields.  It provides an opportunity for researchers based outside of Japan to conduct collaborative research with leading groups at Japanese universities and research institutions for visits of between …

Biofilm Microenvironments: EBNet workshop report out now

Microenvironments can be defined as localised zones with chemical, biological or physical characteristics that differ significantly from those of the larger-scale surrounding environment. Because microbes respond primarily to these immediate conditions, microenvironments strongly influence the performance of microbially-based systems. Understanding and controlling these influences is essential for engineering improved systems. …