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ATI receives more than $1 million in grants to support bioenergy education

(Wooster, Ohio) Nov. 16, 2011-- ATI has been awarded two grants totalling more than $1 million to support a new bioenergy degree program.

An Advanced Technological Education grant from the National Science Foundation for a program entitled “Bioenergy: A Model Workforce Education Program.” The three-year grant will provide $762,416 to develop a new associate of science degree and certificate program in biogenergy and offer professional development programs for 120 high school and college educators.

The NSF grant will provide support in the form of personnel, laboratory equipment, and learning resources such as books, DVDs, and other media.  A half-time laboratory technician and a full-time faculty member will be hired. The faculty member will serve as coordinator of the bioenergy specialization and teach a number of new courses that will be developed, such as Introduction to Renewable Energy (a course that will serve both specializations), Bioconversion Systems, Biomass Feedstock Evaluation and Analysis, and Renewable Energy Projects Planning, Development, and Operation.

The USDA, though its National Institute of Food and Agriculture, has awarded ATI a two-year grant for $281,509 as part of the New Era Rural Technology Competitive Program. The goal of this program is to help technical schools and community colleges prepare the educated workforce needed for the expanding bioenergy industry.

The USDA grant brings together three partners: ATI, the Ohio Bioproducts Innovation Center, and the Ohio Soybean Council Foundation. The Ohio Bioproducts Innovation Center will manage the grant, while the Ohio Soybean Council Foundation will help promote the academic program that will be developed by ATI with USDA funds.

For more information, visit the bioenergy home page.