Advanced BioFuels USA

(Institute for Transportation Decarbonization) The Institute for Transportation Decarbonization (ITD) is pleased to announce a call for proposals for research to support and inform decision-makers in the federal government on policy
development to accelerate the production and adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The deadline for submission is April 21, 2023. Prospective Principal Investigators are encouraged to send an email of intent by March 31, 2023. View our Grant Program Guidelines for general information about our grant program.  READ MORE

A new grant program targeting climate-changing emissions from the aviation sector launched today by the Institute for Transportation Decarbonization (ITD).

ITD is a nonprofit research organization with a mission to help decarbonize the nation’s transportation sector, a key contributor to air pollution and global climate change, and meet net-zero U.S. climate goals by 2050. The organization opened a call for research proposals on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) intended to assist decision-makers in determining best approaches to build domestic production capabilities and meet the needs of United States’ commercial, government, military, and private air travel.

“The environmental impact of flying cannot be underestimated. Emissions from aviation make up a significant share of our overall carbon pollution, and are increasing,” said Dr. Kelly Fleming, ITD senior research fellow and author of the report Pathway to Net-Zero Transportation in the United States: An Exploration of Technologies and Policies, which mapped a path for 100 percent carbon emissions reduction from transportation technologies that promote a
deep reduction in U.S. fossil fuel usage.

The Biden Administration set a high goal of producing 35 billion gallons of SAFs per year by 2050 and an interim goal of 3 billion a year by 2030. While industry and policy interest has grown recently, SAF supply is only around 4.5 million gallons per year due in part to barriers identified in the SAF Grand Challenge Roadmap, hosted by the U.S. Departments of Agriculture (USDA), Energy (DOE) and Transportation (DOT). Additional SAF research is required to improve modeling, accelerate production, reduce carbon intensity, and lower costs compared to traditional fossil-based jet fuel. Policymakers, companies, and researchers must consider approaches to close the gap.

“The need to scale-up sustainable fuel options for aviation presents an incredible opportunity for U.S. innovation in the transportation sector that lowers our carbon impact and brings economic opportunity to bear,” said Dr. Fleming.

Researchers from universities or non-profit organizations may apply for financial support for novel analysis, stakeholder engagement, or related research efforts to advance science-based policy on sustainable aviation fuel technologies with an emphasis on addressing gaps in existing policies and regulations. All funded projects will either advocate for equitable science-based policy, build SAF literacy among policymakers, and/or address inequities in existing policies and regulations.

Founded in 2022, the Institute for Transportation Decarbonization (ITD) is a non-partisan nonprofit organization 501(c)(3) supported by Community Initiatives working to accelerate a 100% greenhouse gas emissions reduction in the United States transportation sector by 2050. ITD focuses on research and analysis of viable decarbonization pathways for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles, as well as the freight, aviation, and maritime networks, to prioritize reducing pollution and carbon emissions reductions through the acceleration of clean energy technologies and policies.  READ MORE

Institute for Transportation Decarbonization issues call for research on SAF (Biobased Diesel Daily/Institute for Transportation Decrbonization)  Call for proposals

Transportation Decarbonization Issues Institute calls for “Research Proposals on Sustainable Aviation Fuels” (American Journal of Transportation