Biobased Markets and Development Access Grant Program

What Does This Program Do?

The Biobased Markets and Development Access Grants Program (BDAP) provides grants to eligible applicants to establish and validate the commercial viability of certain biobased technologies by building or operating integrated demonstration units (IDUs)– facilities that demonstrate continuous, successful production for a set period of time.

Who can Apply?

You can apply for BDAP only if you have successfully completed the Phase 1 of USDA Rural Development’s Refinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program application process, and have received a “Greenlight Letter” for Phase 2. Information about this program, also known as “Section 9003,” is available at this link: RBCS9003.

Application Checklist

NOTE: Already-completed IDU projects are not eligible for BDAP funding.

Are there additional requirements?

To be eligible for the grant, a project must:

• Meet all eligibility requirements associated with building a domestic IDU
• Use grant funds to cover costs associated with building a domestic IDU or paying for an existing domestic IDU to run the campaign following the guidance provided in 7 CFR 4279.265 – available at this link: 7CFR-4279-265
• Have a current lender of record attached to the project
• Use an agricultural commodity-based feedstock

For the purposes of this grant, examples of “agricultural commodities” include apples, aquatic plants cultivated in a controlled environment, barley, citrus, corn, cotton, dry beans, peas, flax, forage, grain sorghum, grapes, hemp, livestock, native grass, nursery crops, nuts, oats, oilseed plants, oranges, peanuts, potatoes, raisins, rice, rye, soybeans, sugar beets, sugar cane, sunflowers, tame hay, timber and other forestry products, tomatoes, wheat, and derivatives of the above, such as residues and woody biomass.

NOTE: The BDAP grant excludes stored grain.

How can funds be used?

Examples of covered costs include construction, feedstock procurement, personnel salaries, equipment procurement and installation, and IDU report development.

What are some grant terms?

While $200 million is available until expended, individual grants cannot exceed $10 million, and award amounts are based on demonstrated need. You must:

• Define and submit financial need for the grant amount you are requesting
• Provide a cost analysis for the IDU and associated campaign
• Submit an updated, complete budget from Phase 1, encompassing your entire project, including the IDU

Grant thresholds are based on projected needs. Comprehensive definitions of BDAP grant terms are available at this link: USDA-BDAP

How do I get started?

• If you intend to submit a BDAP application, you must email USDA’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service (RBCS) at EnergyPrograms@rd.usda.gov within 14 days of receiving an invitation letter to participate. RBCS will send a confirmation email acknowledging your intent to apply.
• You then must submit a complete, electronic application to EnergyPrograms@rd.usda.gov within 60 days of receiving RBCS’s acknowledgment of your intent to apply.
• Incomplete applications – or those submitted after the deadline – will not be considered for funding.

Who can answer questions?

• Email questions to EnergyPrograms@rd.usda.gov. Be sure to mention the BDAP program in your subject line.
• Detailed program information can also be found at: Sam.Gov

What law governs this program?

• BDAP is authorized by the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) Charter Act (available at this link: www.usda.gov/ccc). The CCC has helped expand domestic markets for agricultural commodities since its incorporation into USDA nearly 75 years ago. The BDAP grant is administered by USDA Rural Development’s Rural Business-Cooperative Service (available at this link: RDRBCS).