Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001444
Apply for DE FOA 0001444
- The PAMS-SC in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Plant Feedstock Genomics for Bioenergy: A Joint Research" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.049.
- This funding opportunity was created on Nov 04, 2015 and posted on Nov 04, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 02, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $400,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 15 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Plant Feedstock Genomics for Bioenergy: A Joint Research opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number DE FOA 0001444) was a joint grant program led by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science, Office of Biological and Environmental Research (OBER), together with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Its main purpose was to fund genomics-driven research aimed at improving biomass and plant feedstocks so they can be used more effectively and reliably to produce biofuels (such as ethanol) and renewable, plant-derived chemical feedstocks. In practical terms, the program targeted foundational and applied research that could make bioenergy crops easier to grow at scale, cheaper to produce, and more consistent in quality, ultimately supporting a more sustainable bioenergy supply chain.
A central theme of the funding call was tackling biological constraints that limit bioenergy crop productivity, particularly plant disease and complex disease pressures that reduce yield, increase production costs, or create instability from season to season and region to region. The agencies specifically sought applications focused on candidate bioenergy plants with improved resistance or tolerance to disease and to "disease complexes," meaning real-world situations where multiple pathogens, pests, or interacting stressors can affect a crop at the same time. The emphasis on resistance and tolerance reflects the need for durable field performance, not just laboratory success, because large-scale bioenergy feedstock production depends on predictable, resilient crops that can maintain high biomass output under variable conditions.
The technical approach encouraged by the announcement centered on using modern genetics and genomics as the primary toolkit for solving these problems. That includes research directions such as identifying genes, alleles, pathways, and regulatory networks associated with disease resistance; developing genomic resources for key bioenergy crops; using sequencing and other high-throughput methods to understand host-pathogen interactions; applying genome-wide association studies or quantitative trait locus mapping to connect genetic variation to important traits; and building breeding or improvement strategies informed by genomic data. The overarching expectation was that funded projects would generate insights and tools that remove or reduce biological barriers to low-cost, high-quality, scalable, and sustainable production of bioenergy feedstocks.
Administratively, this was a discretionary grant program in the science and technology/research and development category (CFDA 81.049). Eligibility was broadly described as unrestricted, meaning it was generally open to many entity types, subject to any additional eligibility conditions in the full announcement. The program anticipated making around 15 awards, with an award ceiling of $400,000. The funding opportunity was posted on November 4, 2015, created the same day, and had a closing date of February 2, 2016. Overall, the grant opportunity reflects a coordinated DOE-USDA effort to advance bioenergy agriculture by applying genomics research to improve plant feedstocks, with a strong focus on disease-related limitations that affect both economic viability and long-term sustainability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled Plant Feedstock Genomics for Bioenergy: A Joint Research opportunity.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA number)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DE FOA 0001444.
Which agencies ran this joint funding opportunity?
This was a joint grant program led by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science, specifically the Office of Biological and Environmental Research (OBER), together with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).
What was the main purpose of the program?
The main purpose was to fund genomics-driven research to improve biomass and plant feedstocks so they can be used more effectively and reliably to produce biofuels (such as ethanol) and renewable, plant-derived chemical feedstocks.
What kinds of research did the program aim to support?
The program targeted both foundational and applied research intended to make bioenergy crops:
- Easier to grow at scale
- Cheaper to produce
- More consistent in quality
The intended outcome was a more sustainable and reliable bioenergy supply chain.
What was a central theme or priority area for proposals?
A central theme was addressing biological constraints that limit bioenergy crop productivity, with a particularly strong emphasis on plant disease and complex disease pressures that can reduce yield, raise costs, or create instability across seasons and regions.
What does the FOA mean by "disease complexes"?
In this opportunity, "disease complexes" refers to real-world conditions where multiple pathogens, pests, or interacting stressors affect a crop at the same time, rather than a single isolated disease factor.
Why did the FOA emphasize disease resistance and tolerance?
The focus on resistance and tolerance reflects a need for durable field performance, not just results demonstrated under laboratory conditions. Large-scale bioenergy feedstock production depends on crops that can deliver predictable, resilient, and high-biomass output under variable conditions.
What technical approaches were encouraged?
The announcement encouraged using modern genetics and genomics as the primary approach, including research such as:
- Identifying genes, alleles, pathways, and regulatory networks linked to disease resistance
- Developing genomic resources for key bioenergy crops
- Using sequencing and other high-throughput methods to study host-pathogen interactions
- Applying genome-wide association studies (GWAS) or quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping to connect genetic variation to traits
- Building breeding or crop improvement strategies informed by genomic data
What outcomes were expected from funded projects?
Funded projects were expected to generate insights and tools that would remove or reduce biological barriers to the low-cost, high-quality, scalable, and sustainable production of bioenergy feedstocks.
What type of grant program was this?
This was a discretionary grant program in the science and technology/research and development category.
What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA 81.049.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was described as unrestricted, meaning it was generally open to many types of entities, subject to any additional eligibility conditions that may have been included in the full announcement.
How many awards were anticipated?
The agencies anticipated making around 15 awards.
What was the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling was $400,000.
When was the funding opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on November 4, 2015 (and created the same day).
What was the application deadline?
The closing date was February 2, 2016.
What broader goal did this DOE-USDA effort support?
The opportunity reflects a coordinated DOE-USDA effort to advance bioenergy agriculture by applying genomics research to improve plant feedstocks, particularly by addressing disease-related limitations that affect both economic viability and long-term sustainability.
What kinds of bioenergy end-uses were mentioned?
The description specifically mentioned producing biofuels (such as ethanol) and renewable, plant-derived chemical feedstocks.
Was the program more focused on lab research or field performance?
The program highlighted the importance of durable field performance and real-world reliability, especially because large-scale feedstock production requires consistent results across different seasons and regions.
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