US Department of Energy announces $18,8 million to advance Mixed Algae Development for Low-Carbon Biofuels and Bioproducts.

the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) announced the MACRO: Mixed Algae Conversion Research Opportunity funding opportunity announcement (FOA). The FOA will award up to $18.8 million to address research and development (R&D) challenges in converting algae, such as seaweeds and other wet waste feedstocks, to biofuels and bioproducts that can decarbonize domestic transportation, industry, and communities.

Seaweeds, also known as macroalgae, are an emerging biomass resource with unique benefits compared to land-based biomass systems. However, they are underutilized and are difficult to convert due to their variability, unique chemical make-up, and storage instability.

Overcoming these conversion challenges will help build algae biomass supply chains, accelerate their demand, and ultimately, drive the U.S. bioeconomy by enabling greater volumes of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) conversion to algae.

A wide range of biomass resources, such as readily available seaweeds and wet waste feedstocks, will be critical to reach the Biden-Harris administration’s decarbonization goal of an equitable, clean energy future of net-zero emissions, economy-wide by no later than 2050. This FOA will also support the government-wide targets of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Grand Challenge, the Executive Order on Advancing Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Innovation for a Sustainable, Safe, and Secure American Bioeconomy, and the Clean Fuels & Products Shot™.

Topic Areas

Aligning with BETO and FECM’s strategic program goals, the FOA will fund selected projects in two focus areas: 

• Topic Area 1: Conversion of Seaweeds to Low Carbon Fuels and Bioproducts 

  This Topic Area, funded by BETO, will focus on laboratory scale R&D on conversion of seaweeds and seaweed blends with other wet wastes to renewable fuels and bioproducts to enable these readily available feedstocks to access new markets.

  It aims to address gaps in storage, mobilization, and conversion of readily available algae, including offshore farmed seaweeds, seaweed wastes, and blends of seaweed with other waste algae or blends of seaweed with other wet wastes to low-carbon fuels and bioproducts to enable these readily available feedstocks to access new markets. If successful, these efforts will enable market expansion, address community waste management challenges, and reduce greenhouse gas reductions.
   

• Topic Area 2: Conversion of Algal Biomass for Low Carbon Agricultural Bioproducts

  This Topic Area, funded by FECM, will support the use of anthropogenic CO₂ streams from industrial sources or utilities to grow micro- and macroalgae for low-carbon bioproducts.

  It aims to utilize CO₂ emissions streams from utilities or industrial sources to grow algae for source material and create value-added bioproducts (exclusive of fuels). Applications are sought that utilize anthropogenic (e.g., fossil fuel derived) CO₂ emissions, including concentrated CO₂ supplied from DAC technologies, in the cultivation process and then convert macro- and/or micro-algae into low-carbon agricultural applications or bioproducts such as animal feed. Applications are encouraged to focus on optimization of the technologies and processes for the conversion of cultivated algae biomass to bioproducts and clearly describe the end use bioproducts targeted.

Both topic areas contribute to BETO’s strategic goals for SAFs and other low-carbon bioproducts, as well as FECM’s aims to use CO₂ emissions to grow algae and convert these feedstocks into low-carbon agricultural bioproducts.

BETO anticipates making approximately five to six financial assistance awards lasting from 24 to 36 months under this FOA. FECM intends to award three to four financial assistance awards that will run up to 24 months in length.  

Key Dates

The FOA concept paper deadline is 5:00 p.m. ET, on May 10, 2024, and full applications are due at 5:00 p.m. ET, on June 27, 2024. More information on the MACRO FOA and how to apply can be found on EERE Exchange. Additional information on the FOA and applicant eligibility is also available on Grants.gov.

An informational webinar for potential applicants will be held on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. ET. 

Additional Information

Visit BETO’s funding announcement page for other upcoming funding opportunities.

Teaming Partner List

BETO has compiled a Teaming Partner List to encourage collaboration and facilitate the formation of project teams. The list allows organizations wishing to apply for funding to explore partnering with other prospective applicants. Partnerships can provide additional expertise and resources to successfully meet FOA goals. 

Please include the following information in your partner list submission:

Topic Field – Please enter the Subtopic Area you are interested in. If you would like to be included in multiple Subtopic Areas, please complete separate submissions.

Background, Interests, Capabilities Field – Please include information about your organization type/characteristics in the “Background, Interest, Capabilities” field to help other participants identify your expertise and resources.

BETO also seeks applications from diverse teams of minority-serving institutions (MSIs), including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Minority Business Enterprises, Minority-Owned Businesses, Woman-Owned Businesses, Veteran-Owned Businesses, and tribal entities; workforce education and training providers; and labor organizations.

Any organization that would like to be included on this list should submit the required information via the Teaming Partner List on EERE Exchange.

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U.S. Department of Energy Announces $18.8 Million to Advance Mixed Algae Development for Low-Carbon Biofuels and Bioproducts, April 2024