8.8 Biofuels and Biobased Products

The objective of this topic area is to promote the use of biofuels and non-food biobased products by 
developing new or improved technologies that will lead to increased production of industrial products 
from agricultural materials. This research will lead to new opportunities to diversify agriculture and 
enhance agriculture’s role as a reliable supplier of raw materials to industry. This topic area supports the 
NIFA Sustainable Bioenergy Societal Challenge Area and the Climate Change Societal Challenge Area. 
Historically, appropriate research areas have included: development of procedures for enhanced recovery 
of critical raw materials from agricultural commodities; development of improved technology for 
converting agriculturally derived raw materials into useful industrial products; development of new 
products from new industrial crops; and development of industrial products derived from agricultural 
materials to make them more effective and/or more cost competitive with non-agriculturally derived 
industrial products. In order to enhance the impact of the program, acceptance of applications will be 
limited to select Research Priority Areas.

Acceptance of applications for the FY2015 solicitation will be strictly limited to: 

1. Advanced “Drop-in” Biofuels – New and improved technology for the economically and 
environmentally sustainable production and conversion of agricultural biomass material energy 
crops and residues into non-ethanol biofuels (e. g. biobutanol, green gasoline, green diesel, 
aviation fuel), fuel additives, and other products to be used as fuel; development of improved 
biocatalysts and thermochemical processes for advanced biofuel production, and byproducts from 
the advanced biofuel production stream that will optimize the economic feasibility of the 
production of biofuels. This solicitation seeks to support innovative technologies that will 
minimize adverse environmental impacts during conversion (for example: reduction of energy 
use and water use during conversion; reduction of harmful byproducts from conversion) and have 
carbon reduction benefits. Applications developing technology for ethanol production (grain or 
cellulosic) or co-products from ethanol production will not be accepted in this topic area, but may 
be submitted to other topic areas if appropriate (see Other Key Information below). Applications 
not addressing economic and environmental sustainability may be returned to the applicant 
without review. 
 
2. Advanced biofuels and biobased products from animal manure or carcass waste. 
 
3. New Non-food Biobased Products from New Industrial Crops – Identification of markets 
and development of new biobased products and processes for making products from new 
industrial crops (including algae). These products should be economically competitive and 
have carbon reduction benefits. 
 
4. New processes for the manufacture of biobased plastics

5. New products or processes that develop biobased materials with properties that enhance
energy efficiency in their applications.