*******FULL APPLICATION DEADLINE UPDATE********
Due to several formatting issues with the required forms for the Full Application phase, USDA/DOE are extending the Full Application deadline to Friday, September 29th, 2017. All documentation for the Full Application is due by 5:00 PM EDT on the new deadline. If there are fields that are locked or un-editable in any of the following documentation it will not negatively impact the overall application score. These forms include: SF-424, RR Budget, RR Subaward Budget, RR Personal Data, RR Key Person Expanded, RR Other Project Info, Performance Site, and NIFA Supplemental Info.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), announce that up to $9 million in funding will be made available through the Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI) to increase the nation’s energy independence by supporting the development of bioenergy feedstocks, biofuels, and biobased products.
The projects funded through BRDI—a joint USDA and DOE program—will help develop economically and environmentally sustainable sources of renewable biomass, increase the availability of renewable fuels and biobased products, and diversify our energy portfolio. Both DOE and USDA have been given statutory authorities to support the development of a biomass-based industry in the United States, under the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (FCEA) and the Energy Policy Act of 2005.
USDA and DOE will make up to $9 million available through BRDI in Fiscal Year (FY) 2017. Applicants will be permitted to address any or all of the following three legislatively mandated technical areas: (A) feedstocks development, (B) biofuels and biobased products development, and (C) biofuels development analysis.
In support of these goals, USDA and DOE are soliciting applications from all interested parties, including for-profit entities, universities, nonprofits, and national laboratories. For FY 2017, DOE anticipates funding 1 to 6 awards, and USDA anticipates funding 3 to 14 awards. Awards are anticipated to range from $500,000 to $2 million per award. All DOE funding is subject to the availability of annual congressional appropriations.
Information on where to submit questions regarding the content of the announcement and where to submit questions regarding submission of applications is found in the full RFA posted on the EERE eXCHANGE website.
To apply to this RFA, Applicants must register with and submit application materials through EERE Exchange (this website), EERE’s online application portal.
The Exchange system enforces hard deadlines for Concept Paper and Full Application submissions. The APPLY and SUBMIT buttons automatically disable at the defined submission deadlines. The intention of this design is to consistently enforce a standard deadline for all applicants.
Applicants that experience issues with submissions PRIOR to the RFA Deadline:
In the event that an Applicant experiences technical difficulties with a submission PRIOR to the deadline, the Applicant should contact the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance (EERE‐ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov). The eXCHANGE helpdesk &/or the EERE Exchange System Administrators (Exchange@ee.doe.gov ) will assist the Applicant in resolving all issues.
Applicants that experience issues with submissions that result in a late submission:
In the event that an Applicant experiences technical difficulties with a submission that results in a late submission, the Applicant should contact the Exchange helpdesk for assistance (EERE‐ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov).
The eXCHANGE helpdesk &/or the EERE eXCHANGE System Administrators (eXCHANGE@ee.doe.gov) will assist the Applicant in resolving all issues (including finalizing the submission on behalf of and with the Applicant’s concurrence). DOE will only accept late applications when the Applicant has a) encountered technical difficulties beyond their control; b) has contacted the Exchange helpdesk for assistance, and c) has submitted the application through Exchange within 24 hours of the RFA’s posted deadline.
********UPDATE**********
EERE-DOE/USDA-NIFA is updating the Content and Form of Application Submission related to the following documentation: SF 424 R&R Cover Sheet, SF 424 R&R Project/Performance Site Location(s), R & R Other Project Information Form, R & R Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded), R & R Personal Data, SF 424 (R & R) Budget Fed & Non-Fed, and Supplemental Information Form. These forms are now combined into the form Blank SF 424 Editable Full File (posted below under "Required Application Documents"). This new file includes all the files previously listed, and has several links between the SF 424 and all preceding documents. This update should fix the documentation errors that many applicants have been experiencing.