Available Grant Programs

University Biomass Research
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for University
Research in Biomass Technologies: Applied Research in Conversion of
Biomass to Advance Fuels. This initiative will support innovative
and unique approaches to addressing the needs of biochemical and
thermochemical processing of biomass as implemented in integrated
biorefinery operations. $4 million expected to be available, up to
12 awards anticipated. Letters of Intent to apply are optional and
are due 4/28/08, final proposals due 6/2/08. For more info, contact
Bob Kingsley at GO98017@go.doe.gov or go to:
https://e-center.doe.gov/iips/faopor.nsf/UNID/F9E991EBB53A1463852574260075ABFA?OpenDocument.
Refer to Sol# DE-PS36-08GO98017. (Grants.gov 3/31/08)

Biomass Engineering
The National Science Foundation requests proposals for
Biotechnology, Biochemical, and Biomass Engineering. This
initiative supports research that addresses problems involved in
economic processing and manufacturing of products of economic
importance by effectively utilizing renewable resources of
biological origin and bio-informatics originating from genomic and
proteomic information. Responses due 9/15/08. For more info,
contact Frederick Heineken at fheineke@nsf.gov or go to:
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=501024.
Refer to Sol# PD-08-1491. (Grants.gov 4/17/08)

Bio-Oil Stabilization
The U.S. Department of Energy requests proposals for Biomass Fast
Pyrolysis Oil (Bio-oil) Stabilization. Through this initiative, DOE
seeks practical, cost effective methods for stabilizing biomass fast
pyrolysis oil. $7 million expected to be available, up to 7 awards
anticipated. Response due 5/29/08. For more info, contact
Melissa Wise at GO98018@go.doe.gov or go to:
https://e-center.doe.gov/iips/faopor.nsf/UNID/B30D021237DEB3068525742D0075A4D6?OpenDocument.
Refer to Sol# DE-PS36-08GO98018. (Grants.gov 4/16/08)

Energy Analysis and Technical Assistance
The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory
seeks proposal for energy related analysis and technical assistance
in support of NREL’s ongoing energy efficiency and renewable energy
programs. The overall objective of this solicitation is to
establish task ordering agreements with multiple organizations to
provide analysis and technical assistance as needed by NREL. Area
of interest include: Technology, systems and applications analysis;
market analysis; policy and benefits analysis; and program analysis
and evaluation. Responses due 5/5/08. For more info, contact
Laura Hughes at laura_hughes@nrel.gov or go to:
http://www.nrel.gov/business_opportunities/solicitations_rfps.html.
Refer to Sol# RCX-8-88280. (FBO 4/16/08)

News and Notes - 4/21/08

The biggest news of the day: Mascoma/UT awarded $26 million from the US DOE for the Biofuels Initiative!
http://www.doe.gov/news/6164.htm
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/apr/19/doe-taps-ethanol-site-in-et-for-funds/
http://www.rttnews.com/sp/breakingnews.asp?date=04/19/2008&item=23&vid=0

Don't Blame Ethanol For Soaring Food Prices (US Farm Bureau President Guest Column)
http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/commentary/hc-runoverstallman0420.artapr20,0,2345791.story

Corn-Based Ethanol Tied to Higher Food Costs (As said by Sec. of Energy Bodman)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120856165709227927.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Praj Industries researchers announce discovery of ethanol blend matching gasoline energy
http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=10&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=35944

Crash could follow farm boom: Ethanol cash boosts crop prices
http://www.bostonherald.com/business/general/view.bg?articleid=1088539

Food miles don't feed climate change - meat does
http://environment.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn13741

Barreling Along: The Big Thirst (Population growth impacts on oil industry)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/20/weekinreview/20mouawad.html?_r=2&scp=1&sq=barreling&st=nyt&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Emerging Market Oil Use Exceeds U.S. as Prices Rise
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601207&sid=a_YCEx7do3LQ&refer=energy

News and Notes - 4/18/08

Germany touts wood residue, straw and sour milk as biofuel sources (Daimler and Volkswagen)
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iHLzbIPNPyjjvbMH6dSzcR_QpaaQ

Ethanol incentives, farm payments may be cut (Continuing Farm Bill Negotiations)
http://uk.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUKN1721847220080418

Merkel, Like Lula, Rejects Biofuels as Root of Food-Price Rises
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601100&sid=axYK89HdsPTg&refer=germany

The Ethanol Apologists
http://www.counterpunch.org/bryce04172008.html

Brazil Region to Turn Record 58% of Cane Into Ethanol (Update2)
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=aUFpETqrGucs&refer=latin_america

U.S. needs to add 3 million acres of corn
http://deltafarmpress.com/corn/crop-increase-0417/

Will biodiesel tax credit be extended?
http://www.biodieselmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=2264
Related: Troubled (US) biodiesel plants find market in Europe
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080402/NEWS05/804020308/1064/NEWS05

AAA says E85 is 8% higher in cost per mile than gasoline
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080417/FREE/11443721/1024

According to a Virginia Tech study, the most water-efficient energy sources are natural gas and synthetic fuels produced by coal gasification. The least water-efficient energy sources are fuel ethanol and biodiesel.
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/539917/?sc=swhn

Brazilian Ethanol Imports May Increase: Market Analysts
http://www.biofuelsjournal.com/articles/Brazilian_Ethanol_Imports_May_Increase__Market_Analysts-56036.html

Biomass Plant Added to FSU's Master Plan
http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/17833724.html

News and Notes - 4/16/08

Ethanol plant builder ICM lays off 105
http://www.kansas.com/business/updates/story/374151.html

The biofuel factor in rising food prices: Those who say it's all the fault of biofuels are wrong and those that say that none of the fault belongs to biofuels are wrong.
http://www.news.com/8301-11128_3-9918741-54.html

Biofuel Rule Will Do More Harm Than Good, Oxfam Says
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601102&sid=ahQazSamU6vA&refer=uk

300-Bushel Corn is Coming
http://ethanolproducer.com/article.jsp?article_id=3330

Corn Primed for Making Biofuel: Researchers design a crop that can break down its own cellulose
http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/20608/?a=f

Blow to introduction of greener fuel as oil firms face production delay (UK)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/apr/15/biofuels.renewableenergy

Fueling Bioenergy Endeavors (Highlights several Biofuels Projects Around the Nation, including the UT Biofuels Initiative on Page 26 and it also includes an article by Al Womac on page 30)
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/naylor/BIOH0308/index.php?startid=14

Forest Service Chief Touts Ethanol to Power Cars

An AP article describes how the U.S. Forest Service chief is proposing replacing 15 percent of the nation's gasoline with ethanol made from wood, while doubling the amount of carbon dioxide emissions absorbed by public and private forests. See more here.