DOE Offers Up to $4 Million for Biomass to Biofuel Research

April 11, 2008

DOE released a solicitation on April 10 that offers up to $4 million for university research into cost-effective, environmentally friendly ways to convert biomass into biofuel. Twelve U.S. universities will be selected for funding, and each of them will contribute a minimum of 20% of the cost share, resulting in about $4.8 million being invested in these projects. The Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) seeks projects that improve the conversion of biomass to advanced biofuels through biochemical, thermochemical, and chemical processes and is geared toward lowering production costs and increasing yields and productivity. While the FOA is mainly focused on conventional biomass sources, it also includes the enhanced production of oils from algae. Applications are due on June 2. See the DOE press release and the full solicitation on Grants.gov.