Following are information and links to a DOE Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for the development of a fermentative organism for conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to ethanol.

U.S. Department of Energy

Renewable Energy Research and Development

Development of Robust, Highly Efficient Fermentative Organisms for the Conversion of Lignocellulosic Biomass to Ethanol

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is requesting applications for the development of a highly efficient fermentative organism for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to ethanol, as a follow on request to the previously published Request for Information (RFI) DE-PS36-06GO96028. The organism must be able to survive a wide range of environmental conditions and be genetically stable. Only those applicants who are willing and able to take the strains to a commercial scale and have a sound business strategy to license and market the organism will be eligible for consideration. The applicant must identify its target high impact feedstock. A high impact feedstock is defined as one that is sustainable at quantities exceeding 100 million tons per year. For the purposes of this FOA, “commercialization” will be defined as the transition from research to routine operational application. It is the orderly sequence and implementation of actions necessary to achieve market entry and general market competitiveness of the selected fermentative organism. The term “hydrolysate” is considered the whole slurry, not only the liquor.

Approximately $17,000,000 is expected to be available in FY07 for new awards under this announcement, subject to the availability of appropriated funds. An additional $10,000,000 is expected to be available in FY08 and FY09, subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

https://e-center.doe.gov/iips/faopor.nsf/UNID/13949F628D2B2DB68525720C00706F4E?OpenDocument

https://e-center.doe.gov/iips/faopor.nsf/UNID/13949F628D2B2DB68525720C00706F4E/$file/FOA_Grants_Gov_GO97002_Final.pdf