Biomass Research and Development Initiative
DOE/USDA Objectives and Purposes: Section 9008 of the FCEA and EPAct 2005 set forth the following objectives and purposes for the Biomass Research and Development Initiative FOAs: The objectives of this Initiative are to develop: technologies and processes necessary for abundant commercial production of biofuels at prices competitive with fossil fuels; high-value biobased products o to enhance the economic viability of biofuels and power; o to serve as substitutes for petroleum-based feedstocks and products; and o to enhance the value of coproducts produced using the technologies and processes; and a diversity of economically and environmentally sustainable domestic sources of renewable biomass for conversion to biofuels, bioenergy and biobased products. The purpose of the Initiative is to competitively award grants to eligible entities to carry out research on and development and demonstration of (A): biofuels and biobased products; and (B) the methods, practices and technologies, for the production of biofuels and biobased products. Project Description DOE and USDA/CSREES are, therefore, seeking pre-applications to address the Technical Areas as set out in Section 9008 of the FCEA. The Technical Areas defined in the FCEA are the only eligible topic areas under this FOA. The Technical Areas are: (A) FEEDSTOCKS DEVELOPMENT Research, development, and demonstration activities regarding feedstocks genetic, and feedstock logistics (including the harvest, handling, transport, preprocessing, and storage) relevant to production of raw materials for conversion to biofuels and biobased products. (B) BIOFUELS AND BIOBASED PRODUCTS DEVELOPMENT. Research, development, and demonstration activities to support (i) the development of diverse cost-effective technologies for the use of cellulosic biomass in the production of biofuels and biobased products; and (ii) product diversification through technologies relevant to production of a range of biobased products (including chemicals, animal feeds, and cogenerated power) that potentially can increase the feasibility of fuel production in a biorefinery. (C) BIOFUELS DEVELOPMENT ANALYSIS. (i) STRATEGIC GUIDANCE. Development of analysis that provides strategic guidance for the application of renewable biomass technologies to improve sustainability and environmental quality, cost effectiveness, security, and rural economic development. (ii) ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT. Development of systematic evaluations of the impact of expanded biofuel production on the environment (including forest land) and on the food supply for humans and animals, including the improvement and development of tools for life cycle analysis of current and potential biofuels. (iii) ASSESSMENT OF FEDERAL LAND.Assessments of the potential of Federal land resources to increase the production of feedstocks for biofuels and biobased products, consistent with the integrity of soil and water resources and with other environmental considerations. Detailed descriptions and desired outcomes of each topic are found in Appendix C. Research, Development, or Demonstration projects will be considered for all Technical Areas.
