As a DOE Bioenergy Research Center, we are positioned to make key discoveries and major advances that will lead to breakthrough technologies for eventual large-scale conversion of biomass into fuels.

Our purpose for engaging with industry and other private sector partners is two-fold:

• To inform the Center’s research and ensure that the Center’s basic research and fundamental discoveries become relevant to industry needs, and
• To accelerate the pace and improve the ratio at which GLBRC-developed technologies and fundamental discoveries are licensed for industrial biofuel production.

By establishing ongoing relationships with industry and other private sector partners, our Center will be better poised to generate fundamental scientific discoveries that will lead to the commercial production of fuels from cellulosic biomass.

Program Goals

Establish a Clear Understanding of Industry Needs
Give priority to discoveries, specialized collaborations and advances that will successfully address private sector needs.

Encourage Industry Partners to Engage in GLBRC Research
Offer access to GLBRC resources, talents and assets, and assist partners with building internal research capacity and competency.

Integrate into Larger Industry-Related Biofuels Community
Actively promote industry partnerships and facilitate new and ongoing communications among biofuel research centers and private companies.

Create a Seamless Flow from Research to Industry
Develop and utilize mechanisms for effectively translating GLBRC research to application testing with private industry.

GLBRC Industry Engagement Program Components and Options:

GLBRC Member Institution
The GLBRC is comprised of Member Institutions that receive U.S. Department of Energy funding and that share in the governance of the Center. To become a Member Institution, an industry or academic institution must agree to and sign the Center’s Master Collaboration Agreement – the document outlining all of the Center’s operating principles and intellectual property provisions. In all cases, Member Institutions are closely aligned with the GLBRC’s vision, mission and research objectives, are bound by Center-wide decisions, and participate in basic cellulosic biofuels research.

GLBRC Partner Organization
GLBRC Partner Organizations share common research foci with the GLBRC. To become a Partner Organization, an industry or academic institution will enter into an unfunded research collaboration agreement with a GLBRC scientist or engineer. This status will provide access to GLBRC labs and researchers. As Partner Organizations, industry or academic institutions may address specific research questions and may gain additional insight into developing GLBRC technologies and discoveries.

Research Sponsor
Industry and other private sector institutions may also sponsor GLBRC research to optimize biofuels processes or to increase the likelihood of a relevant fundamental discovery. As a Research Sponsor, a company may support a specific research project or a researcher. The company may also provide equipment or supplies. A written agreement will detail the research relationship. Should the sponsorship help generate a novel technology or invention, the Research Sponsor may be eligible for a portion of the newly developed intellectual property.

We seek to engage the private sector throughout the research process – from basic research to commercialization. Regular and early contact with corporate partners will improve the volume and rate of private sector commercialization of GLBRC discoveries. This commercialization should in turn accelerate the widespread deployment of biofuels from biomass.