Climate change and energy and materials security represent key challenges facing humanity arising from past reliance on now dwindling fossil fuel resources. The proposed research fellowship will explore the development of catalytic processes for bio-refining of waste biomass from Malaysian empty palm fruit bunch (EFB). Catalytic technologies have played a critical role in the economic development of both the chemicals industry and modern society, underpinning 90 % of chemical manufacturing processes. New developments are however required for a bio-based industry and such technology will underpin sustainable processes for the production of chemicals and bio-fuels from Malaysian EFB, thereby adding value to a significant waste resource. This research focuses on (i) development of catalysts for biomass processing, (ii) chemical engineering and techno-economic analysis for assessing process efficiency of biomass transformation. The researchers are in the process of establishing a research network between the National University of Malaysia (UKM) and Aston University, United Kingdom in bioenergy research theme under catalysis study in biofuel production. Professor Dr. Karen Wilson, Director of Research (and Professor of Catalysis) of European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI), Aston University is a co-applicant for this project.