The US Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has announced six grants totalling nearly US$21.1 million to support the development of new jet fuel, biobased products and biomaterials from renewable sources. Funding is made through NIFA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.
The Agriculture and Food Research Initiative is America’s flagship competitive grants program for foundational and translational research, education, and extension projects in the food and agricultural sciences.
These grants are awarded through the Sustainable Bioenergy and Bioproducts Challenge Area, which supports integrated public/private partnerships that lead to the industrial production of biobased materials, products and fuels to create jobs, stimulate rural economic vitality, improve existing agricultural systems and contribute to US energy security.
Our nation has made great strides in promoting the bioeconomy. Today’s investments will help speed the development of regional systems for sustainable bioenergy, bioproducts, and biomaterials production, and create a strong workforce needed to support the bioeconomy, said NIFA Director Sonny Ramaswamy.
Grants announced, by state, include:
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, US$7 026 000
- University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, US$7 026 000
- University of Missouri, Rolla, Missouri, US$32 000
- North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, US$2 750 000
- Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, US$2 750 000
- Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, US$1 500 000
Facts
About NIFA
NIFA’s mission is to invest in and advance agricultural research, education, and extension to solve societal challenges. NIFA’s investments in transformative science directly support the long-term prosperity and global preeminence of US agriculture. Since 2010, NIFA has awarded more than US$164 million through the Sustainable Bioenergy and Bioproducts Challenge Area.
