Fifteen teams are advancing as finalists in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) AlgaePrize 2023 to 2025 competition.

Finalist teams were selected by a panel of judges who reviewed and scored the required 10-page research synopsis that described each team’s research plan for their proposed project within the AlgaePrize’s areas of interest. Each team’s research synopsis:

• Described how the team’s proposed research compares to and will advance the current state of technology.
• Displayed a sound understanding of algae systems whether in production; downstream processing; or new product, analytical tool or ecosystem services development, and the impact of their research.
• Included how diversity, equity, and inclusion will be included and addressed within their proposed effort.

These finalist teams will receive $10,000 in funding to support their research projects. Over the next few months, teams will conduct their proposed research and will provide research updates at regular intervals, including presenting their research synopsis to AlgaePrize organizers and completing an Introduction to Algae Massive Open Online Course.

Teams will then present their projects to a panel of judges during the AlgaePrize Competition Weekend, April 11–13, 2025 at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado. The judges will select five teams as the AlgaePrize winners, and each winning team will receive a $10,000 prize. From those five, one Grand Champion will be selected to receive an additional $15,000 prize.

See the finalists here.