Request for Information (RFI) Plant Genetic Engineering for Energy Applications

This is a Request for Information (RFI) only. This RFI is not accepting applications for financial assistance. The purpose of this RFI is solely to solicit input for ARPA-E consideration to inform the possible formulation of future programs. The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to solicit input for a potential ARPA-E program focused on the development of tools to enable plant genetic engineering and synthetic biology. The goals for this potential program include the evaluation of technologies capable of: 1. Accelerating plant genetic modifications; 2. Increasing the range of genetic modifications possible; and 3. Decreasing the variability and reducing the difficulty of regenerating plants after genetic modifications. ARPA-E seeks input from plant scientists, plant geneticists, molecular biologists, synthetic biologists, crop breeders, and robotics and machine learning engineers. Additionally, ARPA-E seeks input from other stakeholders in the plant biotechnology ecosystem, including seed producers, growers, plant transformation centers, and biotechnology companies. The questions listed are intended to assist relevant stakeholders in providing input on: • Technological approaches to accelerating plant genetic engineering for traits of relevance to ARPA-E’s statutory goals; • Success metrics to quantify the impact of new technological approaches to plant genetic engineering on innovation and discovery, trait development, and commercialization of improved crop varieties; • Approaches to evaluating the technical feasibility of these strategies; and • Factors for widespread adoption of these new technologies. To view the RFI in its entirety please visit https://ARPA-E-FOA.energy.gov