USDA launches $6m funding pot to support next-gen biofuels

The US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has announced up to $6 million (€5.35m) in available funding for research to support the next generation of sustainable biofuels and biomaterials. Funding is made through USDA’s Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI), a joint initiative with the Department of Energy.

“Renewable energy is an important contributor to our nation’s economic prosperity,” said NIFA director Sonny Ramaswamy. “These investments help develop more options for producing energy and bio-based industrial products.” 

Biomass feedstocks are plant and algal materials that can be used to create biofuels, renewable chemicals, and other bio-based products. Perennial grasses, woody plants, and non-food oil seeds are just some of the feedstocks that provide the basis of renewable energy and other materials.

The Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI) RFA supports the development of sustainable biofuels and bio-based products, helping to create jobs, new market opportunities, and rural prosperity by diversifying the nation’s energy choices.

Projects may focus on feedstocks development, biofuels and bio-based products development, and biofuels development analysis.

Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, national laboratories, federal research agencies, state research agencies, private sector entities, non-profit organisations, or consortia of two or more of the entities described above. 

The application process will include two phases: a concept paper phase and a full application phase. The concept paper deadline is 7 July, 2017. The full application deadline is 22 September, 2017. 

Previously funded projects include a State University of New York analysis of the economic and environmental impacts of willow and forest biomass for use in heat and power. A University of Florida project investigated the use of sorghum for biofuels and chemicals.

NIFA invests in and advances agricultural research, education, and extension and promotes transformative discoveries that solve societal challenges.

NIFA support for the best and brightest scientists and extension personnel has resulted in user-inspired, ground-breaking discoveries that combat childhood obesity, improve and sustain rural economic growth, address water availability issues, increase food production, find new sources of energy, mitigate climate variability and ensure food safety. 

This story was written by Liz Gyekye, editor of Biofuels International.