USDA Small Business Innovation Research Grant (Phase 1)
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers competitively awarded grants to qualified small businesses to support high-quality research related to important scientific problems and opportunities in agriculture that could lead to significant public benefits. Projects dealing with agriculturally related manufacturing and alternative and renewable energy technologies are encouraged across all SBIR topic areas. USDA SBIR's flexible research areas ensure innovative projects consistent with USDA's vision of a healthy and productive nation in harmony with the land, air and water. Proposed Phase I projects should prove the scientific or technical feasibility of the approach or concept. Program includes multiple topic areas. Several zero waste-related topic areas are summarized below.
Forest Topic Area
The Forests and related resources topic area aims to address the health, diversity and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations through the development of environmentally sound approaches to increase productivity of forest lands, improve sustainability of forest resources and develop value-added materials derived from woody resources. To meet the identified needs in forestry and wood utilization, the program’s long-term (10 years) goals are to achieve increased utilization of woody resources for value-added products from wood; healthy and sustainable forest ecosystems that are more resilient to wildfires and the impact of pathogens and insects; improved environmental and economic methods of sustainable harvesting; and improved growth and yield of forest species that will lead to more efficient use of forested lands. Research Priorities. Examples of appropriate subtopics for research applications from small businesses include, but are not limited to the following (see more in full solicitation):
Increasing the Utility of Forest-Grown Material
Research to improve the yield of lumber, pulp fiber and specialty chemicals from trees; utilizing a greater percentage of the tree through improved techniques of production, for the creation of new or improved reconstituted products; developing better methods for manufacturing wood-based products and testing products for performance and durability; and developing improved methods for the production of paper.
Reducing Ecological Damage by Forest Operations
Research to reduce soil erosion, compaction, water degradation or other alterations caused by harvesting and/or other forest operations, provisions for the economic recovery of resources from forests while raising potential productivity and reducing impacts to the ecological structure of the area of operation.
Sustainable Bioenergy and Development of Value-Added Products from Forest Resources
Research for development of improved methods for the conversion of forest biomass into cellulosic biofuels (e.g. ethanol, biobutanol, jet aviation) and biobased products, including intermediate chemicals; development of new wood-based composite materials; development of local-scale energy conversion projects that generate electricity and/or useful heat; and development of technologies that will mitigate carbon release from combustion.
Food Science, and Nutrition Topic Area
The Food Science and Nutrition topic area aims to fund projects that support research focusing on developing new and improved processes, technologies or services that address emerging food safety, food processing and nutrition issues. The program will fund projects to: 1) increase the understanding of the physical, chemical and biological properties of food; 2) improve methods for the processing and packaging of food products to improve the quality, safety and nutritional value of foods and to reduce food waste; 3) develop technologies for rapid and sensitive detection of pathogens and toxins in foods, and 4) develop programs or products that increase the consumption of healthy foods and reduce obesity or alleviate urban and rural food deserts.
The outcome of a successful project is a proof of concept for a marketable product or patented process. Examples of appropriate subtopics for research applications from small businesses include, but are not limited to, the following (see more in full solicitation):
Food Quality-Engineering
Developing innovative processing and packaging technologies or materials (specifically biodegradable materials) that reduce post-harvest losses in foods while maintaining safety, quality and/or extending shelf life of the product.
Nutrition, Food Safety and Quality Data Tools
Development of software tools and technologies that collect and analyze nutrient data, food safety and food quality data to enable producers, consumers and retailers make healthy choices and/or alleviate food deserts.
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Funding: Award ceiling per project $106,500; total estimated funding $25 million.
Eligibility: Applicants must qualify as a Small Business Concern (SBC) for R/R&D purposes at the time of selection (see definitions in section Part VIII).
Closing dates: FY20: October 23, 2019 and FY21: October 1, 2020.