DOE and USDA Announce Funding for Biomass Research and Development Initiative
DOE and USDA Announce Funding for Biomass Research and Development Initiative

For Immediate Release: February 2, 2009
EESI Contact: 202.662.1885 or bioenergy [at] eesi.org

On January 30, the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA) and Energy (DOE) announced up to $25 million (subject to appropriations) in funding for research and development of technologies and processes to produce biofuels, bioenergy, and high-value biobased products. Projects eligible for this joint Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) will aim to increase the availability of alternative renewable fuels and biobased products, and create a diverse group of economically and environmentally sustainable sources of renewable biomass. Advanced biofuels produced from biomass sources must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 percent.

The FOA funds are reserved for projects in three areas specified in the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act (FCEA) of 2008:

  • Feedstock development
  • Biofuels development analysis
  • Biofuels and biobased products development


Award amounts range from $1 million up to $5 million, with project periods lasting up to four years. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, national laboratories, federal and state research agencies, private sector entities, non-profit organizations. There is a required minimum cost share of at least 20 percent of total project cost for research and development projects and 50 percent of total project cost for demonstration projects.

Pre-applications must be submitted electronically by March 6, 2009. The FOA is available online at www.grants.gov

USDA Press Release