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Sun Grant Western Center
2008 U.S. Department of Transportation-Funded
Competitive Grants Program>
SECTION 2. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION
PROGRAM PRIORITIES
The Sun Grant Western Center (WC) announces a special call in 2008 under its Competitive Grants Program. The WC seeks to fund a project that focuses on biomass that can be used for biofuels/bioproducts. The feedstock (s) must be those that are new or currently recognized as energy feedstocks that grow in unique or isolated Western landscapes, grow in locations without capacity to grow large acreages of biomass, or may be small scale feedstocks. Proposals that address collection, storage, and transportation factors related to these feedstocks are also welcome.
Under this special call we expect to award up to $150,000 for a one or two year project. Proposals must come from Land Grant Institution investigators that address the stated regional programmatic priorities. Co-investigators may include the private or public sector, nonprofit organizations, or other institutions of higher education. If feasible, we encourage multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional proposals. Integration, economics, marketing, policy, education or a combination of these overarching activities may be incorporated in any proposal.
Proposals should clearly state how the project objectives address the priority program areas stated above. In addition to the programmatic priority, greater weight will be given to projects which demonstrate:
- Strong relevance to the Sun Grant mission
- Inclusion of a mix of research, education, or extension activities
- Positive impact on the local, regional or national economy with a potential for payoff within two to three years
- Focus on use or development of regional feedstocks
- Attention to small-scale or distributed energy systems
- Proposal shows displacement of petroleum through the enhancement of the biobased economy
- Non-university collaboration and stakeholder participation in the project or strong linkage to appropriate stakeholders or user groups
- Multi-institutional or multi-state participation
- Defined plan for dissemination of project derived information and ability to produce scholarly products of significance
Projects must meet one or more of the objectives in the program areas highlighted
below. Please note that proposals need not meet all of the objectives
for any given program area to be considered for funding. Objectives and
desired outcomes for the priority program areas for this call are presented
below.
Feedstock Enhancement and Development
Feedstock research is a priority because of the diverse array of types of raw materials originating in or adapted to the Western region. We are particularly interested in a proposed project that focuses on new or existing feedstocks that are derived from or could be grown in the unique landscapes and climates of the region. Additionally, projects should assist rural communities in understanding the feasibility and economic impacts of developing a biomass feedstock industry.
Goal:
To promote economic diversification through biomass development in rural
areas taking into consideration unique regional characteristics.
Objectives:
- To assess the feasibility and availability of alternate raw materials for biofuels, bioenergy and other bioproducts generation. Strategies of interest include plant breeding and selection, crop agronomics for optimal sustainable yields, sustainable harvests, multiple land use for feedstock production and wildlife habitat, soil and water conservation, air quality, and global climate change.
- To identify economically viable biofuel opportunities from regionally available and economically viable raw materials.
- Mitigate environmental and social impacts associated with the production of feedstocks.
Benchmarks/Desired Outcomes:
Short term
1. Identify
and develop economically viable raw materials.
2. Develop
proof of concept.
Long Term
1. Prioritize
best choices for the region or subregion (e.g., tropics, arctic).
2. Make
production economically feasible.
Evaluation/Metrics:
- Strong technical merit
- Potential for rural and/or economic development
- Minimizes negative social and environmental impacts
CONTACT PERSON FOR QUESTIONS
Ellie Larsen, Program Specialist
Western Sun Grant Regional Center
138 Strand Hall
Oregon State University
Corvallis OR 97331
Phone: 541-737-9353
Fax: 541-737-3178
Email: sungrant@oregonstate.edu
http://sungrant.oregonstate.edu