The AlgaePrize, is a U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) national competition, in partnership with the Algae Foundation and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. AlgaePrize 2025–2027, part of DOE’s American-Made Challenges, is the third competition. It spans 24 months and challenges students to develop novel solutions to algae production, processing, and new product development, which will help lower the costs of producing algal biofuels and bioproducts.
Student teams will compete for a total of $250,000 in prize awards and national recognition, while shaping the global future of converting algae to biofuels (e.g., sustainable marine and aviation fuels), vitamin- and protein-rich foods and animal feeds, ecological services, and industrial compounds (e.g., biopolymers).
Students may begin registering on April 1, 2025, for AlgaePrize 2025–2027. To participate, teams must complete registration by Sept. 12, 2025, by 12 p.m. ET.
Timeline
Below is a high-level overview of the AlgaePrize 2025–2027 competition timeline. Please see the HeroX timeline for more details.
- December 2024 – Preliminary AlgaePrize 2025–2027 competition details announced.
- April 1, 2025 – Registration opens and students can sign up and assemble teams. Student teams can begin work.
- Sept. 12, 2025 – Registration closes at 12 pm ET. Student team registrations due with abstract and team photo. Teams must register and submit a 500-word abstract by this deadline. Each team must identify a faculty lead and a student team lead.
- Nov. 3, 2025 – Deadline for 10-page research synopsis and team photo.
- Jan. 16, 2026 – A maximum of 15 student teams will be selected as AlgaePrize finalists. AlgaePrize finalists announced. Each of the selected finalist teams will be awarded $10,000 for their research project support funds.
- Feb. 4–6, 2026 – Finalists virtually present research synopsis.
- June 17, 2026 – Deadline for Research Update #1.
- Sept. 2, 2026 – Deadline for Research Update #2.
- Dec. 2, 2026 – Deadline for Research Update #3.
- March 3, 2027 – Deadline for receipt of 25-page Research Project Final Report, 5-minute video, poster, and team and research project photos.
- March 31, 2027 – Deadline for team PowerPoint presentation file.
- April 9–11, 2027 – AlgaePrize Competition Weekend hosted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado. The competition weekend culminates in the AlgaePrize grand champion being announced.
Amplification Kit
The AlgaePrize Amplification Kit includes fliers, photos, graphics, sample social media posts, and summary descriptions to help spread the word about the AlgaePrize through social media, newsletters, blog posts, and other channels.
Student teams and their institutions can download tools and templates to promote the AlgaePrize and their participation in the competition. Visit the AlgaePrize Amplification Kit to learn more.
News and Updates
Learn more about the AlgaePrize 2025–2027 finalist teams and their projects and stay up to date with the competition on social media by following #AlgaePrize.
Learn More
To view the competition details—including official rules, eligibility, requirements, and an in-depth timeline—visit the AlgaePrize 2025 –2027 Competition HeroX website.
For questions about the AlgaePrize, email [email protected].