Bioproduct Pilot Program

CFDA 10.236 Active Grant

Program Objective

The Bioproduct Pilot Program will advance development of cost-competitive bioproducts with environmental benefits compared to incumbent products. The program seeks projects that will study the benefits of using materials derived from covered agricultural commodities for production of construction and consumer products.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • Other

Qualified institutions are bioproduct research facilities that meet all of the following criteria:
(1) is funded, in part, by a State;
(2) is located within a reasonable distance, not to exceed 3 miles, of the primary residence hall of an institution of higher education. An institution of higher education is defined in Section 1001(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a))).
(3) provides students opportunities to engage in research activities; and
(4) provides opportunities for an institution of higher education to collaborate with private enterprise.

How to Apply

Award Procedure

Review the NOFO for more details.

Decision Timeline

  • Approval: From 30 to 60 days
Program details & compliance

Description

Program is no longer making new awards, but funded projects may still actively report expenditures.

Mission Categories

Primary: Water Pollution Control

Other categories:
Air Pollution ControlSolid Waste ManagementPesticides ControlRadiation Control

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

Applications must address all of the following priorities:
(1) Bioproduct development and production scale-up.
(2) Cost savings relative to other commonly used materials;
(3) Greenhouse gas emission reductions and other environmental and climate benefits relative to other commonly used materials;
(4) Landfill quantity and waste management cost reductions, including life-cycle and longevity-extending or longevity-reducing characteristics relative to other commonly used materials;
In addition to the priorities above, applicants are highly encouraged to include the following:
(5) A technoeconomic analysis (TEA), including baseline data that helps prioritize project activities. The TEA should compare the biobased product of interest to incumbent products on the market, including product specifications and pricing;
(6) Analyses of environmental benefits (such as greenhouse gas emissions, waste management benefits, and other relevant benefits) must include baseline data that will help prioritize project activities.
(7) Analyses should compare the biobased product of interest to an incumbent product on the market, including product specifications. Quantification of benefits should be measured using standards that are transparent, rigorous, and industrially relevant (such as ASTM standards, NIST standards, widely adopted life cycle analysis (LCA) methodologies, and/or Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs));
(8) A justification of the industrial relevance of the chosen scale for scale-up activities;
(9) A discussion of the market impact and expected path to market for bioproducts advanced by a potential award;
(10) Industry partners for critical commercialization steps

Reporting & Compliance

Records Retention
3 years

Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts

  • Subpart B — General Provisions
  • Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
  • Subpart E — Cost Principles
  • Subpart F — Audit Requirements

Contacts

USDA, NIFA, National Program Leader — National Program Leader
207-544-3021
USDA, National Institute of Food and Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture U.S. Department of Agriculture P.O. Box 419205, Mail Stop 10000, Kansas City, MO 64141-6205 Courier/Package Delivery Address: 2312 East Bannister Road, Mail Stop 10000, Kansas City, MO 64141-3061, Kansas City, MO 64141, Kansas City, MO 64141
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-02-04. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-05-29 05:33:54.