Rifah Tasnia received the Energy Finance Excellence Award 2026 at HORIZON 2.0 – 2026, the Second International Conference on Progressive Research in Humanities, Society and Emerging Methodologies, held on July 30–31, 2026. The award was conferred by Eudoxia Research University, USA, and Eudoxia Research Centre, India, following the conference selection committee’s review of research submissions.

During the conference, Tasnia presented her study, “Strategic Financing of LNG Expansion for Infrastructure Development, Export Competitiveness, and National Energy Security.” The research examined how strategic financing relates to infrastructure development, export competitiveness, risk management, and national energy security within the U.S. LNG sector.

The study used a quantitative cross-sectional survey and included 215 valid responses from professionals working across energy, finance, industry, and policy-related organizations. Participants evaluated strategic financing and LNG-sector priorities using a five-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics, reliability testing, and Pearson correlation analysis were used to evaluate the results.

The findings identified financial transparency as a major financing issue, cited by 63.4% of respondents. Foreign exchange control was identified by 59.8%, while 58.6% emphasized long-term funding availability. Respondents also highlighted terminal development at 56.7%, LNG storage capacity at 55.1%, and pipeline expansion at 54.9% as important infrastructure priorities.

Correlation analysis showed statistically significant positive relationships between LNG financing and infrastructure development, export competitiveness, and energy security. The strongest reported relationship involved risk control, with a Pearson correlation coefficient of r = 0.634 and p < 0.01. The findings indicate that stronger financing frameworks are associated with improved management of financial and operational risks in capital-intensive LNG projects.

The award process was overseen by an international Central Organizing Committee. Members included Chief Patron Prof. Dr. Rhituraj Saikia; Patron Prof. Dr. Caleb Moyo; Convener Prof. Dr. Dimitrios A. Karras; Organizing Secretary Dr. Edward Haberek Jr.; Prof. Dr. Rajesh G. Konnur; Coordinator Dr. Smreeti Mehta; Dr. Ashish Baldania; Moderator Prof. Dr. Pratisha Kumari; and Dr. Bulus Pikitda.

Submissions were evaluated on originality, professional impact, innovation capacity, sustainability focus, and contribution to global competitiveness. Tasnia’s research addresses these themes by presenting financing as an important enabler of sustainable LNG development.

The study concludes that U.S. LNG expansion requires not only technological capacity, but also stable and well-structured financial strategies. Such frameworks can support long-term infrastructure investment, strengthen export competitiveness, improve risk control, and contribute to a resilient energy system. The Energy Finance Excellence Award 2026 recognizes Tasnia’s contribution to research at the intersection of strategic finance, infrastructure development, and sustainable energy security. The research also provides a focused evidence-based perspective for policymakers, financial institutions, infrastructure investors, and energy companies assessing future LNG financing priorities and long-term sector resilience. The research also provides a focused evidence-based perspective for policymakers, financial institutions, infrastructure investors, and energy companies assessing future LNG financing priorities and long-term sector resilience. The research also provides a focused evidence-based perspective for policymakers, financial institutions, infrastructure investors, and energy companies assessing future LNG financing priorities and long-term sector resilience. The research also provides a focused evidence-based perspective for policymaker’s financial institutions infrastructure investors and energy companies assessing.