About the program
The ABIR Program is a competitive one-stage, merit-based program that will offer grant funding to selected projects undertaking activities that build the investment case for significant and scalable pre-commercial demonstration projects for the production of high energy, drop-in advanced biofuels in Australia.
Projects under the ABIR Program may include, but are not limited to, pre-feasibility, feasibility and front-end engineering design studies or extensions to the operational demonstration of pilot-scale facilities with a clear pathway to commercialisation.
The $15 million ABIR Program is funded by the Australian Government and administered by the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism until 1 July 2012, when responsibility for the program will transfer to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
Timeline
On 24 February 2012, the program was opened.
The call for applications under the ABIR Program closes at 5:00pm, 30 April 2012 AEST.
Applications must be in the correct form, as outlined in the Program Information Guide.
Grants and funding
Successful applicants under the ABIR Program will be required to enter into a Funding Agreement with ARENA.
Updated information
The RET webpage may be updated with new information relevant to applicants. We recommend applicants revisit this webpage regularly for the latest information on the ABIR Program.
How to apply for the program
To apply for the ABIR Program, applicants must:
- read the Advanced Biofuels Investment Readiness Program Administrative Guidelines, Eligible Expenditure Guidelines and the Advanced Biofuels Investment Readiness Program Information Guide (see Related documents) to understand the requirements of the Program
- consider whether they meet the eligibility criteria and the likelihood of their proposal being assessed against the merit criteria to a high standard
- consider any issues they may have in entering into a Funding Agreement with ARENA based on the draft Funding Agreement
- download and complete the Advanced Biofuels Investment Readiness Program Application Form (see Related documents)
- submit the completed Advanced Biofuels Investment Readiness
Program Application Form and required supporting documents (no more than 25MB) to abirprogram@ret.gov.au by 5:00pm, 30 April 2012 AEST.
Program objective
The objective of the Program is to progress the commercialisation of advanced biofuels by building the investment case for significant and scalable precommercial demonstration projects for the production of high energy, drop-in advanced biofuels in Australia.
The Program will therefore provide support, on a competitive basis, to projects undertaking activities that meet the Program objective. These activities may include, but are not limited to, pre-feasibility, feasibility and front-end engineering design (FEED) studies or extensions to the operational demonstration of pilot-scale facilities with a clear pathway to commercialisation.
