OpportunityTitle: Plant Feedstock Genomics for Bioenergy:  A Joint Research Funding Opportunity Announcement USDA, DOE
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: DOE Eligibility Criteria: Applicants from U.S. Colleges and universities, non-profit organizations, for-profit commercial organizations, state and local governments, and unaffiliated individuals are eligible to apply, except Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) Contractors, and nonprofit organizations described in section 501(c)(4) of the internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995. Researchers from other Federal agencies are encouraged to submit a pre-application referencing DE-FOA- 0000598; if a formal application is encouraged, additional submission information will be provided.  USDA Eligibility Criteria: The Secretary may award grants to State agricultural experiment stations; colleges and universities; university research foundations; other research institutions and organizations; Federal agencies; national laboratories; private organizations or corporations; individuals; or any group consisting of two or more of the aforementioned entities. Applications from scientists at non-U.S. organizations will not be accepted. Award recipients may subcontract to organizations not eligible to apply, provided such organizations are necessary for the conduct of the project.
Description: The U.S. Department of Energy&apos;s Office of Science, Office of Biological and Environmental Research (BER), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), hereby announce their interest in receiving applications for genomics based research that will lead to the improved use of biomass and plant feedstocks for the production of fuels such as ethanol or renewable chemical feedstocks. Specifically, applications are sought for fundamental research on plants that will improve biomass characteristics, biomass yield, or sustainability. Systems biology approaches to identify genetic indicators enabling plants to be efficiently bred or manipulated, or research to predict phenotype from underlying genotype that could lead to improved feedstock characterization and sustainability are also encouraged. Renewable energy from biomass has the potential to reduce or remove dependency on fossil fuels as well as reduce negative environmental impacts from emissions of greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants. Realizing this potential will require the simultaneous development of high yielding biomass production systems and bioconversion technologies that efficiently convert biomass energy into the forms of energy usable by industry. Most agricultural research to date has focused on enhancing the production of seeds, roots and tubers that are used for food and feed production. However, these improvements in food crops have frequently been directed towards increases in starch content with a corresponding reduction of lignocelluloses accumulation. Research applications are solicited for genomics-based research that will lead to improved utilization of plant biomass for the production of fuels such as ethanol or renewable chemical feedstocks. This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) co ntinues a commitment, initiated in 2006, to conduct a fundamental research program in biomass genomics, to provide the scientific foundation to facilitate the use of lignocellulosic materials, either primary material or agricultural residues, for bioenergy and biofuels. The rationale for developing lignocellulosic crops for energy is that less intensive production techniques and poorer quality land can be used for these crops, thereby avoiding competition with food production on better quality land.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: kim.laing@science.doe.gov
GrantorContactText: Kimberlie J. Laing, Grant Analyst, 301-903-3026&lt;br/&gt;kim.laing@science.doe.gov&lt;br/&gt;Catherine M. Ronning, Program Manager, 301-903-9549&lt;br/&gt;Catherine.Ronning@science.doe.gov&lt;br/&gt;