My apologies for the sparse posts, I am trying to finish my oleochemical presentation for the Plant Bio-Industrial Oils Workshop, which is due this Friday. In the meantime, I promise to certain somebody to post some of these news that might help those who need a little money or recognition for their start-up projects.

It isn’t easy to be green and broke these days you know….

Biorrefinaria Brasil Challenge
Biorrefinaria Brasil is introducing the concept of “Challenge driven innovation” to troubleshoot a biorefinery problem identified at any stage of the production chain, e.g., from obtaining biomass, through the industrial processes up to distribution of bioproducts. Biomass can be sugar cane, oilseeds, wood, agro waste, algae, and other renewable carbon sources. The organization will award US$ 1,000.00 for the most challenging problem. Deadline for submission is February 15.

Bioplastic Innovation Awards
Organizers of the 6th International Conference on Industrial Biotechnology and Bio-based Plastics & Composites is inviting companies from the USA or Germany to submit application to win their Innovation Award “Biomaterial of the Year 2013,” which will be presented at the conference held on April 10-12 in Germany. The award goes to an innovative company that found a suitable new application for a bio-based material which was introduced to the market in 2012 or 2013. Deadline for application is February 15.

DOE to award $6m for biomass projects
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a new Funding Opportunity Announcement for up to $6m for projects that will develop and demonstrate integrated feedstock supply chain systems that can deliver affordable biomass feedstock required by commercial biorefineries across the US. Funding will be available this year for one to two multi-year projects. All selected projects will require a cost-share contribution by the grant recipient including 20% for R&D activities and 50% for demonstration activities. Concept paper submission deadline is February 15 and full application submission deadline is March 22.

Presidential Green Chemistry Award now open
This year’s annual Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards is now accepting nominations, which is due April 30. The awards promote the environmental and economic benefits of novel green chemistry, and recognize chemical technologies that incorporate green chemistry into chemical design, manufacture and use. The EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention sponsors the Awards in partnership with the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute and other members of the chemical community.