The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, in collaboration with the U.S. DOE, announced that up to $9 million in funding will be made available through the Biomass Research and Development Initiative to increase the nation’s energy independence by supporting the development of bioenergy feedstocks, biofuels and biobased products.

The projects funded through BRDI—a joint NIFA and DOE program—will help develop economically and environmentally sustainable sources of renewable biomass, increase the availability of renewable fuels and biobased products, and diversify our energy portfolio. Both DOE and NIFA have been given statutory authorities to support the development of a biomass-based industry in the U.S., under the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 and the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

NIFA and DOE will make up to $9 million available through BRDI in Fiscal Year 2017. Applicants will be permitted to address any or all of the following three legislatively mandated technical areas: (A) feedstocks development, (B) biofuels and biobased products development, and (C) biofuels development analysis.

In support of these goals, NIFA and DOE are soliciting applications from all interested parties, including for-profit entities, universities, nonprofits and national laboratories. For FY 2017, DOE anticipates funding one to six awards, and NIFA anticipates funding three to 14 awards. Awards are anticipated to range from $500,000 to $2 million per award. All DOE funding is subject to the availability of annual congressional appropriations.

For more information and application requirements, visit the DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Exchange under reference number DE-FOA-0001637. Concept papers are due by July 7, and full applications are due by Sept. 22.