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.

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 the Larger Industry-Related Biofuels Community
Actively promote industry partnerships and facilitate new and ongoing conversations 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.

Program Components and Options

Partner Organization
GLBRC partner organizations are closely aligned with GLBRC research. To become a partner organization, a company or academic institution will enter into an unfunded research collaboration agreement with a GLBRC scientist or engineer. This status provides access to GLBRC labs and researchers. As partner organizations, a company may address specific research questions and gain additional insight into developing GLBRC technologies and discoveries.

Research Sponsor
Private sector companies 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. If the sponsorship helps generate a novel technology or invention, the research sponsor may be eligible for a portion of the newly developed intellectual property.

Member Institution
The GLBRC is comprised of member institutions that receive DOE funding and share in the governance of the Center. To become a member institution, a company or academic institution must agree to and sign a master collaboration agreement that outlines the Center’s operating principles and intellectual property provisions. In all cases, member institutions are closely aligned with our vision, mission and research objectives, bound by Center-wide decisions, and participate in basic cellulosic biofuels research.