BioFuelNet Canada Call for Letters of Intent - BioMass Canada Cluster (BMC), 2022

Sponsor

BioFuelNet Canada

Program

BioMass Canada Cluster

Description

The BioMass Canada Cluster (BMC) is calling for Letters of Intent (LOI) from those wishing to contribute to their application to the AgriScience Program Renewal (2023-2028). BMC was established in 2018 by BioFuelNet Canada with financial support from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s AgriScience Program and industrial partners. BMC’s overall objective is to enhance the contribution of Canadian agriculture to the growing Canadian bioeconomy. To this end, BMC’s mandate during the second period of operation will be:

To mobilize Canada’s agricultural biomass resources for commercially viable bioenergy and bioproduct production by de-risking and commoditizing agricultural biomass in all regions of Canada, while mitigating and adapting to developing changing climate conditions. The Cluster is currently comprised of ten research activities all focused on improving/developing technologies for producing, processing and distributing feedstocks from agricultural biomass resources, for low-carbon bioenergy, biofuels and other bio-based products. In order to build on its significant achievements in the last five years, BMC welcomes research and development proposals for activities to be included in BMC’s AgriScience Partnership Program Renewal proposal, for research to be conducted during the period April 1, 2023-March 31, 2028. The three major priority areas (may be subject to change following formal AAFC announcement), and their relative importance that are being considered by the Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s AgriScience Program for the next round of funding are as follows:

1. CLIMATE CHANGE & ENVIRONMENT (30-40%): Address climate change and environmental sustainability, to help position the sector in contributing to the Government of Canada’s 2030 and 2050 targets. This should focus on Green House Gas (GHG) emissions reductions and carbon sequestration, as well as other environmental considerations including soil health, water quality, air quality, biodiversity and plastics.
2. ECONOMIC GROWTH (40-50%): Focus on emerging technologies to address labour challenges, create more value-added products and increase productivity. Research proposed should aim to improve productivity, develop new or improved products and/or production systems. Proposal selection will consider: enhancement of emerging sectors vs established commodities; participation of value chain partners and potential impact relative to cost.
3. SECTOR RESILIENCE (20%): Proposed research should be aimed at improving sector resilience in response to market and societal pressures, including mental health, and to build ongoing resilience into the agricultural sector. These sectors include:

• Antimicrobial resistance;
• Plant health;
• Alternative production systems; and
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and big data in agriculture.

Eligibility

• Researchers at Canadian Universities/colleges
• Government scientists in Canada
• Other public research institutions
• Private sector researchers in Canada (with restrictions)

Indirect Costs

15%

Project Duration

Five (5) years or less: April 1, 2023-March 31, 2028

Special Notes

Please note that research activities carried out in the context of COVID-19 need to adhere to the University of Guelph COVID-19 research principles, policies, guidelines and processes as they may be updated from time to time and communicated on the Office of Research web-page. 

How to Apply

Please complete the LOI form and submit the completed document to Dr. Xiaomin Zhou at xiaomin.zhou@mcgill.ca no later than January 24, 2022.