Up to $33 million in research and technologies-processes development funding to produce biofuels, bioenergy and high-value biobased products will be made available by USDA and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), subject to annual appropriations.
USDA and DOE issued this joint funding announcement for several types of projects aimed at increasing the availability of alternative renewable fuels and biobased products. The projects will aim to create a diverse group of economically and environmentally sustainable sources of renewable biomass. Advanced biofuels produced from these projects are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a minimum of 50%, as determined by the Environmental Protection Agency.
“These projects will help advance the production of biofuels and related products. Supporting the development of sustainable and renewable biofuels is key to improving our energy security and addressing climate change,” says Cathy Zoi, DOE assistant secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
Technical direction and guidance, addressed by the Biomass Research and Development Initiative, can be found in Section 9008(e)(3) of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008. The technical areas are:
• Feedstocks development,
• Biofuels and biobased products development,
• Biofuels development analysis.
The funding opportunity is available online at Grants.gov. Pre-applications are due July 13, 2010, and must be submitted electronically. Applicants who will be asked to submit full applications will be notified by Sept. 9.