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This month the Department of Energy announced two funding opportunities of interest to ABO members that will support early-stage bioenergy research and development under the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office:
- BioEnergy Engineering for Products Synthesis (up to $28 million): This multi-topic FOA seeks to develop highly efficient conversion processes for improving the affordability of fuels and products from biomass and waste streams. BETO anticipates funding 14-28 awards for between $1 million and $2.5 million each. Letters of intent are due by May 30, 2018. Full applications are due by June 27, 2018. The FOA seeks early-stage research proposals that cover several topics pertaining to conversion processes:
- Innovative catalysts for thermochemical processing
- New biological approaches for higher conversion efficiency
- Novel bio-based products that outperform conventional materials (e.g., plastics, polymers, etc.)
- Conversion of wet organic wastes to biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower
- Conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) to make fuels and products
- New processes to break down lignin and synthesize higher value biofuels and bioproducts
- Efficient Carbon Utilization in Algal Systems (up to $15 million): This research funding opportunity seeks proposals in two areas to improve the cost-competitiveness of algae-based biofuels and bioproducts. BETO anticipates funding 6-10 awards for between $1.5 million and $2.5 million each to industry- and academia-led consortia. Letters of intent are due by May 30, 2018. Full applications are due by June 27, 2018. Topic areas include:
- Increase the productivity of algae by improving uptake and conversion of waste CO2emissions, such as from a power plant or industrial facility
- Develop new, affordable technologies to capture CO2 directly from ambient air to enhance algal growth
Learn more about these opportunities, and others, at the BETO Funding Opportunities web page.
