Handbook of Cellulosic Ethanol
Biomass Research and Development Initiative
The U. S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, in conjunction with U. S. Department of Energy
Office of Biomass Programs, provides grant funding for projects addressing research, development, and demonstration of biofuels and biobased projects and the methods, practices, and technologies for their production, under the Biomass Research and Development Initiative (Section 9008). The competitive award process focuses on three main technical areas: feedstock development; biofuels and biobased products development; and biofuels development analysis. Eligible applicants are institutions of higher learning, national laboratories, federal research agencies, private sector entities, and nonprofit organizations. The non-federal share of the total project cost must be at least 20%. Funding for this program is subject to congressional appropriations through fiscal year 2013. For more information, see the Biomass Research & Development website.
Point of Contact: Office of Rural Development, Business and Cooperative Programs, U. S. Department of Agriculture
5. Ethanol Infrastructure Grants and Loan Guarantees
The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides loan guarantees and grants to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to purchase renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements. Eligible renewable energy systems include flexible fuel pumps, or blender pumps, that dispense intermediate ethanol blends. The maximum loan guarantee is $25 million and the maximum grant funding is 25% of project costs. At least 20% of the grant funds awarded must be for grants of $20,000 or less. Funding for this program is subject to congressional appropriations through fiscal year 2013. For more information, see the REAP website.
Point of Contact: Office of Rural Development, Business and Cooperative Programs, U. S. Department of Agriculture
