January 15, 2013
The North Central Region Sun Grant Center (NCRSGC) has received funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) for competitively awarded regional projects to enhance the respective missions of the Sun Grant Program and USDA/NIFA. Through these USDA/NIFA funds the NCRSGC will have approximately $300,000 to fund research, Extension and outreach proposals. Proposed activities should enhance national energy security through the development, distribution, and implementation of biobased energy technologies. Under this RFA, the North Central Sun Grant Center’s research, Extension, and education programs shall address the development and economic potential of non-food feedstocks including lignocellulosic and oilseed crops for biofuel production. The non-food feedstocks must be suitable for production in the North Central Region of the United States. Appropriate research, Extension, and outreach proposals should promote diversification in and the environmental sustainability of agricultural production in the region through biobased energy and production technologies. Project investigators must demonstrate the potential economic impact of their proposed activities on rural economies. Collaborative proposals are highly encouraged for all proposals.