The U.S. Department of Energy AlgaePrize

The AlgaePrize is a national student competition funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), in partnership with the Algae Foundation and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). As part of the DOE’s American-Made Challenges, the AlgaePrize seeks to empower the next generation of bioeconomy professionals by engaging high school and postsecondary student teams in solving real-world challenges associated with algal biofuels and bioproducts. Spanning a 24-month period from 2025 to 2027, the competition invites teams of two or more students enrolled in U.S.-based educational institutions, including high schools, community colleges, universities, and graduate programs. Projects must address one of three focus areas: Production (e.g., aquaculture engineering, cultivar enhancement), Downstream Processing (e.g., harvesting, dewatering, biorefinery development), or Novel Products and Ecosystem Services (e.g., analytical tools, ecological services). Student teams compete for a cumulative prize pool of $250,000 and national recognition, with tiered awards given during various stages of the competition. Finalist selection is based on submitted research synopses. Up to 15 finalist teams will each receive $10,000 ($8,000 for project support and $2,000 for travel). These teams will then present their research during the AlgaePrize Weekend, an in-person competition event scheduled for April 9–11, 2027, at NREL in Golden, Colorado. Five champion teams will be awarded an additional $15,000 each, and one grand champion will receive a final $25,000 prize. The champions will also present at a major algae industry conference such as the Algae Biomass Summit. Eligible participants must include students currently enrolled in a U.S. educational institution and pursuing a diploma or degree. Each team must have a U.S. citizen or permanent resident as captain and a faculty advisor from a U.S.-based institution. Teams may span multiple institutions. Restrictions apply to federal employees, competition organizers, and relatives of DOE and affiliated staff. High school teams must be registered by a faculty advisor, and students under 18 may not join multiple teams. Submissions involve an initial abstract for registration (deadline pending), a full research synopsis, and team photo. Following finalist selection, teams must provide three five-page research updates throughout the competition. Finalist teams must also post monthly updates on social media and attend the AlgaePrize Weekend, where research will be evaluated by judges and presented to industry stakeholders. More detailed rules and submission requirements will be available in the official rulebook. While the registration date has been postponed pending DOE updates, the competition encourages early team formation and project planning. Interested individuals can stay informed via the Algae Foundation newsletter or direct inquiries to algaeprize@thealgaefoundation.org.

Emphasize innovation, feasibility, and clear focus within algae research tracks. Document progress clearly.