USDA-NIFA (National Institute for Food and Agriculture) currently funds 7 bioenergy Coordinated Agricultural Projects (CAPs) through Agricultural and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Grants.
Explore the NIFA Bioenergy CAPs:
Advanced Hardwood Biofuels Northwest (AHB)
Lead Institute: University of Washington
Awarded: 2011
Feedstock: Purpose grown woody crops (e.g. poplar)
Conversion platform target: Hybrid bio/thermochemical conversion
Industrial Partners: ZeaChem Inc.
Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance (NARA)
Lead Institute: Washington State University
Awarded: 2011
Feedstock: Forestry residuals
Conversion platform target: Biochemical
Industrial Partners: Gevo Inc., Weyerhaeuser
CenUSA bioenergy
Lead Institute: Iowa State University
Awarded: 2011
Feedstock: Native perennial grasses (switchgrass, big bluestem, indian grass)
Conversion platform target: Thermochemical (pyrolysis w/ biochar co-production)
Industrial Partners: Archer Daniels Midland, Conoco-Phillips
Sustainable Bioproduct Initiative (SUBI)
Lead Institute: Louisiana State University
Awarded: 2011
Feedstock: Sweet sorghum, energy cane
Conversion platform target: Biochemical
Industrial Partners: John Deere, Ceres Inc., Genencor, Optinol
Southeast Partnership for Integrated Biomass Supply Systems (IBSS)
Lead Institute: University of Tennessee
Awarded: 2011
Feedstock: Switchgrass, pine, cold-tolerant Eucalyptus
Conversion platform target: Thermochemical
Industrial Partners: Rentech-ClearFuels, KiOR, Ceres Inc., Genera Energy
Bioenergy Alliance Network of the Rockies (BANR)
Lead Institute: Colorado State University
Awarded: 2012
Feedstock: Beetle-killed pine
Conversion platform target: Thermochemical
Industrial Partners: CoolPlanet Energy Systems
Northeast Woody / Warm-season Biomass Consortium (NEWBio)
Lead Institute: Pennsylvania State University
Awarded: 2012
Feedstock: Purpose-grown willow, miscanthus, switchgrass
Conversion platform target: Biochemical
Industrial Partners: Mascoma Biofuels, Praxair Inc., Primus Green Energy