BioMADE Receives $450M Budget Increase from The Department of Defense
Increase for DoD Manufacturing Innovation Institute will strengthen bioindustrial manufacturing innovation and education
TWIN CITIES, MN/EMERYVILLE, CA, March 7, 2023 – BioMADE, the Bioindustrial Manufacturing Innovation Institute (MII), and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), announces an increase in its federal funds budget ceiling from an initial $87.5 million to over $500 million.
“BioMADE launched in 2021, and momentum for bioindustrial manufacturing has only increased,” said Dr. Douglas Friedman, BioMADE Chief Executive Officer. “This budget increase is representative of national interest in the power and promise that biomanufacturing holds for America’s future.”
Bioindustrial manufacturing can create new products and a domestic supply of current products by harnessing the power of biology. This capability strengthens the domestic supply chain, creates new opportunities for American farmers and rural communities, generates well-paying manufacturing job opportunities across the country, and expands manufacturing options to the defense industrial base.
“This budget increase and planned investment is a direct reflection of the Department’s strategy to accelerate technologies that will play critical roles in securing America’s advanced manufacturing capabilities. BioMADE’s ability to support the needs of the Nation’s nascent bioeconomy illustrates the value of the DoD’s nine MIIs and their public-private partnership model,” said Stephen Luckowski, the DoD MII Program Director.
“BioMADE’s research and development is already yielding significant progress in biomanufactured proteins, chemicals, fabrics, rubber, and more,” added Friedman. “Now is the time to capitalize on this momentum and keep moving forward with increased investments. The Department of Defense’s leadership in raising the contract ceiling will enable vastly expanded federal partnerships that will advance technology and build talent in the biomanufacturing ecosystem.”
“This ceiling increase demonstrates the importance of bioindustrial manufacturing to the Department of Defense,” said Dr. Angela Campo, BioMADE Government Program Manager. “BioMADE’s research and engagement with industry is creating a reliable pipeline of bio-based chemicals and materials for defense purposes and growing the industry at large.”
Since BioMADE’s launch in 2021, over $75M has been invested across nearly 40 projects around the country. These projects are creating new biomanufactured products, designing state-of-the-art equipment, accelerating technology commercialization, advancing defense capabilities, and training the needed workforce.
By driving toward marketable biomanufactured products and bio-based materials, BioMADE and its members are playing a key role in catalyzing the domestic bioeconomy. Biomanufacturing will impact all sectors of the economy and society; making the U.S. more self-sufficient and sophisticated in manufacturing by diversifying and securing America’s chemical and materials supply chain.
About BioMADE
BioMADE is securing America’s future through biomanufacturing innovation, education, and collaboration. By harnessing the power of biology, BioMADE and its 175+ member organizations are strengthening American competitiveness and creating a more robust and resilient supply chain. BioMADE is also building a diverse and globally competitive STEM workforce to ensure the workforce is prepared and ready to fill new jobs. BioMADE is a Manufacturing Innovation Institute sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense and overseen by DoD Manufacturing Technology Program. Learn more by visiting biomade.org.
About USD(R&E)
The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E) is the Chief Technology Officer of the Department of Defense. The USD(R&E) champions research, science, technology, engineering, and innovation to maintain the United States military’s technological advantage. Learn more at https://www.cto.mil/, follow us on Twitter @DoDCTO, or visit us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/ousdre/.