The Departments of Agriculture and Energy announced July 25 a $42 million investment in 13 projects that will encourage more efficient biofuels production and feedstock improvements. Through the joint Biomass Research and Development Initiative, the two agencies are working to develop economically and environmentally sustainable sources of renewable biomass and increase the availability of renewable fuels and biobased products via five projects. The two agencies also announced $10 million for eight research projects aimed at applying biomass genomics to improve promising biofuel feedstocks and drive more efficient, cost-effective energy production.