Overview of the Alternative Renewable Fuels 'Plus' Research and Development Fund

[Alternative Renewable Fuels 'Plus'* Research and Development Fund Index Page]

Exploration of new markets and new uses for bioproducts, alternative renewable fuels and their co-products will contribute to the long term sustainability of Ontario's agri-food, energy and rural sectors. Investment in research will help position Ontario to take advantage of new technologies in these areas.

The Alternative Renewable Fuels 'Plus' Research and Development Fund is a discretionary, competitive research fund open to universities, research institutions, industry, governments, organizations or partnership networks. Applicants outside Ontario may also apply if they can demonstrate how the proposed research will provide significant benefits or a unique competitive advantage for Ontario's agri-food industry, energy sector and/or rural communities.

The objectives of the Alternative Renewable Fuels 'Plus' Research and Development Fund are to fund research that will:

• Enable continuous improvement in the alternative renewable fuels industry products and processes;
• Promote agricultural value-added opportunities in the bioproducts and alternative renewable fuels industries in Ontario; and
• Assist alternative renewable fuels and biobased production facilities in Ontario to be major participants in these new worldwide markets.

Letters of Intent are solicited that will generate new knowledge and/or technologies in the following areas of scientific priority:

• Research into distiller's grains with a particular focus on the development of rapid tests for the detection of pathogens transferred into animal feeds.
• Research into the impact of distillers grains on feed quality.
• Identification of feedstock quality specifications and opportunities for bio-based substitution in petrochemical manufacturing processes.
• Market development for value added products and co-products, waste streams of agriculture-based feedstocks.
• Improved production efficiencies in alternative fuel / bioproducts systems: parameters such as yield, energy consumption, cost, quality control.
• Improved environmental impact of new product/process throughout product life cycle investigation of climate change mitigative measures, and clean burning fuels.
• Economic analyses of government policy or programs related alternative renewable fuels or agricultural bioproducts.
• Risk management and investment strategies for private sector investment in alternative renewable fuels or bioproducts.

The application procedure involves a two stage process: Stage One involves the submission of a letter of intent; Stage Two involves the submission of a full proposal by invitation only to successful Stage One applicants.

The Call for Letters of Intent documents and submission information can be found on the Alternative Renewable Fuels 'Plus' Research and Development Fund website at http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/research/arfuels/index.html. Up to $1 million in program funding is available in this call.

Applicants must use the provided application form and comply with all the eligibility criteria and application procedures. The deadline for submission of Letters of Intent is September 17, 2007 by 4 pm. It is anticipated that ARF 'Plus' funding for successful projects will flow in spring 2008.

Funding for this program is provided by OMAFRA and GreenField Ethanol (formerly Commercial Alcohols Inc.).

For more information, please contact:
Darlene Shewen, Administrative Service Representative, Research and Innovation Branch, OMAFRA.
Email: Darlene.shewen@ontario.ca

*'Plus' in the fund name indicates the broadening of focus beyond alternative renewable fuels to include agricultural based bioproducts.

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