Systems Biology Research to Advance Bioenergy Crop Production

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science (SC) has released a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) under its Biological and Environmental Research (BER) program for research in the Genomic Science Program (GSP). The funding opportunity focuses on systems biology research aimed at advancing the understanding of molecular mechanisms behind bioenergy crop productivity, resilience, and adaptation, as well as the roles of microbial communities in supporting plant vigor. The total anticipated funding is up to $75 million, with individual awards ranging from $1 million to $3 million per year for a maximum project period of five years. Approximately 5 to 15 awards are expected. Applications must align with the specific research goals outlined and adhere to DOE’s regulatory and administrative guidelines. The purpose of this funding opportunity is to support basic research that enhances scientific knowledge relevant to bioenergy crop production and environmental sustainability. Specifically, research is sought in two main areas: systems-level studies to improve understanding of bioenergy crop productivity under suboptimal environmental conditions and systems biology-enabled investigations into how microbial communities influence plant productivity. The ultimate goal is to leverage omics-driven tools and systems biology approaches to develop sustainable bioenergy crop systems that can address U.S. energy and environmental challenges, particularly in the face of a changing climate. Funding will support hypothesis-driven research into bioenergy crops like sorghum, Miscanthus, switchgrass, and non-food oilseed crops such as Camelina. Focus areas include genetic mechanisms driving plant resilience to stress, interactions between plants and their associated microbiomes, resource use efficiency, and computational modeling to predict plant performance under variable conditions. Field-based studies and the use of computational tools like machine learning for integrative analyses are encouraged. While the scope is broad, applications targeting food crops, pathogens, or solely focusing on applied breeding are outside the NOFO's priorities. Eligibility is broad, encompassing all domestic applicants except for specific nonprofit organizations engaged in lobbying. DOE/NNSA National Laboratories, other federal agencies, and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) are ineligible as primary applicants but may participate as subrecipients. Individual applicants must demonstrate the necessary expertise and resources to carry out proposed research. Collaboration among multi-institutional teams is encouraged, but each team must submit a single application through a designated lead institution. Cost-sharing is not required and will not be considered during the evaluation process. The application process involves a mandatory pre-application submission to assess alignment with program objectives. Pre-applications that are not encouraged may result in full applications being declined without merit review. Full applications must include a clear description of the research objectives, methodologies, and anticipated contributions to the program's goals. Key evaluation criteria include scientific and technical merit, applicant qualifications, innovation, and alignment with program objectives. A strong emphasis is placed on data sharing and compliance with DOE’s data management policies. Important deadlines, including pre-application and full application submission dates, are specified on the NOFO cover page. Annual progress reports and participation in an annual PI meeting in the National Capital Region are required for funded projects. Applicants are encouraged to utilize DOE user facilities, such as the Joint Genome Institute (JGI) and Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL), which provide resources for genomic and systems biology research. This funding opportunity is aimed at advancing the fundamental understanding of bioenergy crop production and the interplay between crops and their ecosystems. The research supported through this program will contribute to the development of sustainable bioenergy systems that are essential for addressing the nation’s energy, environmental, and economic challenges. Interested applicants are encouraged to review the NOFO thoroughly and prepare a well-integrated proposal that aligns with the outlined goals and priorities.