The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a $40 million grant to be overseen by WSU and MIT to lead a national research project on the development of aviation biofuels.

“This is a sweet marriage, we’re very good at the biofuels, and they’re very good at aviation and the environment,” said Ralph Cavalieri, the FAA Center of Excellence director and WSU associate vice president for alternative energy.

The FAA Center of Excellence for Alternative Jet Fuels and Environment is the national project supported by the grant.

WSU is leading the biofuel research with MIT as co-lead specializing in aviation engineering, said Cavalieri.

WSU President Elson S. Floyd believes winning the grant confirms WSU’s standing as a research leader.

“Competing for and winning the Center of Excellence designation reaffirms the State of Washington and Washington State University as international leaders in aviation and the development of alternative jet fuels,” he said in a press conference announcing the grant recipients on Sept. 13.

Cavalieri said the grant puts WSU in the national spotlight for innovative biofuel research.

“Having this recognition helps attract and retain the best faculty, and attract and retain the best students,” he said.

Cavalieri said the goal of the grant is to develop an efficient way to reduce the carbon footprint of aviation jet fuel.

The research will include biofuel development and testing, aircraft wear, fuel performance testing, and environmental impacts from noise and emissions, among other topics.

The Center of Excellence will be based at the WSU Tri-Cities campus, but research for the center will take place across the country. Research will be done in partnership with Pacific Northwest Laboratory and 14 additional universities.

John Gardner, former vice president of WSU and contributor to the grant, said biofuels already exist and have been tested on flights, but they are not yet financially feasible.

“Our objective is not just to do experiments, but to make this commercially viable,” Gardner said.

The grant awards the Center of Excellence $4 million per year for the next 10 years, but Cavalieri said they hope to match that amount with corporate partners’ involvement.

Corporate partners of the grant include airline manufactures such as Boeing and Airbus, major airlines such as Alaska Airlines and Delta Airlines, biofuel manufacturers, and engine manufacturers including Rolls Royce.

The FAA will continue working with the Center of Excellence to develop projects that both the FAA and the corporate partners are interested in.

The program is supported by the state legislature. Every member of the federal delegation of the state of Washington signed a letter supporting the center, Cavalieri said.

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell played a large role in pushing the grant forward, and Cavalieri said Cantwell was the visionary for the overall project.

In a press conference announcing the grant recipient, Cantwell said, “Washington state is poised to lead the nation is tackling this critical scientific challenge.”

Cavalieri said U.S. Senator Patty Murray and Governor Jay Inslee are accredited with bringing this grant to Washington State as well.

“Biofuel research brings together Washington State’s leaders in aviation, innovation and agriculture. This Center will propel Washington State’s innovation economy to the forefront of the emerging biofuels industry,” Cantwell said.