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Section 9008, Biomass Research and Development Initiative

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rural Development jointly solicit applications for financial assistance addressing research and development of biomass based products, bioenergy, biofuels and related processes. The Program is intended to promote innovation and development related to biomass. It supports the Biomass Research Development Act of 2000, Section 9008 of the 2008 Farm Bill, the Healthy Forest Restoration Act of 2003, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and stated Federal policy.

How much are the grants?
Grants may be awarded up to $1 million. Grants are highly competitive and require successful completion of a two phase pre-application and application process. Based on a technical merit review of the pre-applications, full-applications are submitted by invitation only.

Who is eligible?
Individual eligible entities or consortia of eligible entities include the following types of organizations:

1. Institutions of higher education
2. National Laboratory
3. Federal research agency
4. State research agency
5. Private sector entity
6. Nonprofit R&D organization
7. Consortium of two entities listed in A-F

What types of projects are eligible?
As mandated by the 2005 EPACT, there are four research and development technical topic areas considered eligible for Section 9008 funding. These include:

1. FEEDSOCK DEVELOPMENT
   1. RD&D regarding feedstock development, logistics (harvest, handling, transport, preprocessing, & storage) relevant to production of raw materials for conversion to biofuels and biobased products
2. BIOFUELS AND BIOBASED PRODUCTS DEVELOPMENT
1. RD&D of cost effective technologies foe cellulosic biomass in production of biofuel & biobased products
2. Diversification of technology relevant to production of bioproducts (chemicals, animal feed, cogenerated power) to increase feasibility of fuel production in a biorefinery
3. BIOFUELS DEVELOPMENT ANLYSIS
   1. Strategic Guidance
   2. Energy & Environmental Impact
   3. Assessment of Federal Lands

How to Apply
To apply for funding for the Section 9008 Biomass Research and Development Initiative grant program, please contact Chris Cassidy at (202)841-6097 or send an electronic message to chris.cassidy@wdc.usda.gov.

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