BEAM Circular is building a vibrant regional ecosystem for the circular bioeconomy in California’s agricultural heartland, the North San Joaquin Valley (NSJV). BEAM is facilitating collaboration and catalyzing action through the BioEconomy, Agriculture, and Manufacturing (BEAM) Initiative, a portfolio of public and private projects designed to scale the most promising innovations in bioindustrial manufacturing and to advance solutions that support economic and environmental outcomes for local communities.

As part of BEAM’s mission, BEAM is dedicated to empowering businesses in the NSJV by providing support to access innovation and research resources through a new Innovation Vouchers Program. BEAM Circular’s Innovation Voucher Program (IVP) aims to increase access to research expertise, equipment, and infrastructure for businesses in the North San Joaquin Valley (NSJV) that are working on promising innovations in bio-based products, biomanufacturing, and waste biomass feedstock utilization. The IVP matches company funding of up to $100,000 to engage a researcher or research facilities to support answering a defined research question necessary to moving your sustainable circular bioeconomy technology forward.

To apply for an Innovation Voucher, eligible businesses must submit a project definition that outlines a proposed research project, including background on the company, the specific problem to be addressed and the type of service requested, evidence that the project will yield results, and a detailed project budget.

Accepted applicants will receive grants ranging from $25,000 to $100,000, with a required 1:1 match from the business, to be applied toward eligible services. Matching from businesses can be made through cash, private or public investments, and/or in-kind services applied to the proposed project. The project budget (including awarded and matched funds) can be applied to the following eligible services:

• Technical Research Expertise: Contracting researchers from universities and research labs in Northern California and beyond to complete the proposed project.
• Access to Equipment, Facilities, and Infrastructure: Purchasing or renting equipment and lab facilities.
• Business Expertise: Access business strategy guidance (e.g., market development, operations, supply chain development) from business faculty and management experts.
  
  Project focuses can include, but are not limited to: preparatory work for research and development; product, service, or market development or commercialization; technology development or exploration; process innovation; and scale-up. BEAM Circular will assist in matching awardees with a researcher or research facility for their project. Applicants are encouraged to name specific researchers, facilities, and citations of the type of research they would like to conduct in their project. Preference will be given to partnerships with institutions located within the NSJV.

At minimum, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. A for-profit entity and primarily U.S. owned, i.e., having at least 51% of ownership by U.S. citizens and/or permanent residents.
2. At least 51% of its operations in the NSJV.
3. Registered to do business in California.

Applicants who do not meet these criteria are encouraged to partner with organizations that do. For example, a startup outside the NSJV can partner with a feedstock provider located within the NSJV; in this case, the NSJV-based feedstock provider would be the primary awardee and grant matching could come from either party.

Proposals will be primarily reviewed on the merit of the research project proposal. In addition to a well constructed and supported research project proposal, prioritization for awards will be given to projects that demonstrate a direct, positive impact on local communities and the environment through innovative bioeconomy solutions. See the full program solicitation for the complete list of criteria and considerations. 

Application Deadline: December 6, 2024.

Application Review: BEAM Circular will review and advance applications on a rolling basis. All applications will be reviewed by a selection committee of experts.

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For more information, please contact: [email protected]