Sep 8, 2020
North Carolina announces availability of grants for bioenergy research

The North Carolina Bioenergy Research Initiative and the New and Emerging Crops Program are seeking grant proposals that support each program’s mission.

“The two programs offer a combined $1 million in competitive grants, with the total being split equally on bioenergy research and new and emerging crop research,” Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said in a news release. “With every dollar invested in ag research producing around $19 in returns, we envision significant production opportunities and new markets that will benefit North Carolina farmers. This continued investment in agricultural research has helped maintain agriculture and agribusiness’ strength as our leading industry.”

Each program is organized under the NCDA&CS Research Stations Division. While not required, research projects funded by the grant programs may use the Division’s infrastructure and resources throughout the state, including one or more of the Division’s 18 research stations.

Potential grantees may wish to review the chart below to understand each program’s mission and the types of research projects that may qualify for grants.

Bioenergy Research Initiative

New and Emerging Crops Program

Mission:

to support the development of energy production from North Carolina agricultural and forest-based products.

* High consideration will be given to projects that focus on crop production in either the field or forest that will provide feedstock for bioenergy-related technologies, economic analysis and bioenergy production.

to identify potential new crops, value-added products and agricultural enterprises and provide the agricultural research, marketing support, and education necessary to make these crops commercially viable and profitable for North Carolina’s growers and agribusinesses.

Topics of high importance include, but are not limited to:

  • Weed management
  • Harvest management such as methods, timing, transporting and storage
  • Stand management such as renovation for productivity, planting dates, crop management and eradication when necessary
  • New species and bioenergy potential
  • Innovative uses of biomass for energy
  • Identification of emerging crops with economic potential
  • Crop physiology, growth and development
  • Identification of appropriate soil and climate needs
  • Agronomic management strategies including fertility and pest management
  • Postharvest management strategies
  • Creation and evaluation of new value-added products
  • Test marketing new crops or products
  • Genetic improvement and selection
  • Education and demonstration
  • Economic analysis and enterprise budgeting

Copies of the grant applications, required forms and additional information are available on each program’s grant web page. The Bioenergy Research Initiative page is at https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/uzdjCrk7VZfkn17tDKmeg?domain=ncagr.gov, and the New and Emerging Crops grant page is at https://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/642LCwpg79TqVAkiyqxSG?domain=ncagr.gov. Applications must be postmarked by close of business Oct. 9. Questions about each program should be directed to the contacts above. For more information on the application process, contact Allison Medlin, at [email protected] or at 919-693-2483.




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