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The USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is seeking applications for a new bioproducts manufacturing program authorized under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Bioproduct Pilot Program is a competitive grant program that will support research activities related to studying the benefits of using materials derived from covered agricultural commodities in the production of construction and consumer products. Eligible activities might include technoceoncomic and life-cycle analyses relative to incumbent products; environmental and waste management implications; and product development and scale-up. With up to $10 million in anticipated funding over fiscal years 2022 and 2023, individual awards will range from $2 million to $5 million. Grant applications are due August 31, 2022.

What is the purpose of the Bioproduct Pilot Program?

The Bioproduct Pilot Program will advance development of cost-competitive bioproducts with environmental benefits compared to incumbent products. The program seeks projects that will study the benefits of using materials derived from covered agricultural commodities for production of construction and consumer products.

What are the priorities of the Bioproduct Pilot Program?

Applications must address all the following priorities:

1. Bioproduct development and production scale-up.
2. Cost savings relative to other commonly used materials;
3. Greenhouse gas emission reductions and other environmental and climate benefits relative to other commonly used materials;
4. Landfill quantity and waste management cost reductions, including life-cycle and longevity-extending or longevity-reducing characteristics relative to other commonly used materials;

What applicants are eligible for this funding? 

Qualified institutions are bioproduct research facilities that meet all of the following criteria:

1. is funded, in part, by a State;
2. is located within a reasonable distance, not to exceed 3 miles, of the primary residence hall of an institution of higher education. An institution of higher education is defined in Section 1001(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
3. provides students opportunities to engage in research activities; and
4. provides opportunities for an institution of higher education to collaborate with private enterprise.

A Statement of Eligibility must be included in the application. Duplicate or multiple submissions are not allowed.

What funding is available for the Bioproduct Pilot Program?

The anticipated amount available for the Bioproduct Pilot Program in FY2022 is up to $5,000,000, and FY2023 is up to $5,000,000. All awards will be awarded in FY 2023. Funding will be issued as competitive awards. USDA is not committed to fund any particular application or to make a specific number of awards.

Is cost-sharing required?

The Bioproduct Pilot Program has no matching requirement. NIFA will not factor matching resources into the review process as an evaluation criterion.

The Bioproduct Pilot Program request for applications (RFA) can be found here.

For more information on this grant or how to apply with Morrison’s assistance, please contact the Morrison Grants Team by email at grants@morrisonco.net or call us at 530-893-4764.