For more information and resources to help promote the AlgaePrize, download the following tools and templates, and find contact information.
About the AlgaePrize
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, part of DOE’s American-Made Challenges, spans approximately two years 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 more than $200,000 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 feeds, ecological services, and industrial compounds (e.g., biopolymers).
The competition provides the opportunity for students to engage and network with industry professionals, DOE national lab researchers, and academics to forge relationships and connections that aid students’ transitions to algal-based bioeconomy employment.
Media Contacts
Media inquiries should be sent to [email protected]. Questions about the AlgaePrize, should be sent to [email protected].
Online Resources
You can find resources and information related to the AlgaePrize on DOE's AlgaePrize and AlgaePrize 2023–2025 Competition and AlgaePrize 2025–2027 Competition HeroX websites.
- DOE's AlgaePrize competition page is the primary source of AlgaePrize information for inter- and intra-governmental agencies, laboratories, partners, and the public. It highlights the overarching competition goals and strategy behind the program, including the competition news release announcement.
- HeroX is the dedicated AlgaePrize student resource site through which teams can register for the competition. The site also hosts specifics about the competition rules, timeline, and details.
Multimedia Resources
- Access branding information including images for media use, in the AlgaePrize branding document.
- Watch the AlgaePrize 2023-2025 competition video.
General Bioenergy Resources
There are resources about algae and bioenergy on BETO's website:
Algae-Specific Resources
- AlgaePrize Competition Fact Sheet
- Algae Fun Facts
- Algae: A Single Cell for Multiple Solutions Fact Sheet
- BETO's Advanced Algal Systems R&D Subprogram
- Development of Integrated Screening, Cultivar Optimization, and Verification Research (DISCOVR) Consortium
- Algae Technology Educational Consortium
- Barriers to Scale: Algae Crop Protection Workshop Summary Report
Social Media Resources
Follow along with the AlgaePrize conversation on X (formally Twitter), Facebook, and LinkedIn using the hashtag #AlgaePrize. BETO, in partnership with the Algae Foundation, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, will post updates, information, and algae resources on social media throughout the competition.
Bioenergy Technologies Office (Bioenergy Knowledge Discovery Framework)
Facebook, X
U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficient and Renewable Energy
Facebook, X, YouTube, LinkedIn
Algae Technology Educational Consortium
Facebook, X, LinkedIn
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Facebook, X, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram
Algae Foundation
Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn
American-Made Program
X
Frequently Asked Questions
A full list of the rules and requirements for each AlgaePrize competition can be found at the AlgaePrize 2023–2025 Competition and AlgaePrize 2025–2027 Competition HeroX websites. We’ve also highlighted a few frequently asked questions below:
Q. What is the AlgaePrize?
A. An academic competition from the DOE, funded by BETO, that encourages students to pursue innovative ideas for the development, design, and invention of technologies within the commercial algae value chain.
Q. What are the Prizes for the AlgaePrize Competition?
A. Student teams will compete for more than $200,000 in prize awards, trophies, and national recognition. The first stage of judging will result in up to 15 student teams being selected as AlgaePrize Finalists. Finalist teams will present their research at the AlgaePrize Competition Event. The five top student teams will be selected as AlgaePrize Champions. The five champion teams will then present their research to a final panel of judges. These judges will select a single Grand Champion and award the Grand Champion an additional grand prize. The five champion teams will be invited to participate in a national algal-based conference or symposium, such as the Algae Biomass Summit, to present their research and network with conference participants from the national and international algae community.
Q. How many teams can compete in the AlgaePrize competition?
A. There is no limit to the number of teams that can compete in the AlgaePrize; however, teams must consist of at least two student members enrolled in a U.S.-based educational institution (high school, accredited community college, college, university and/or graduate school). Teams with students from multiple educational institutions are allowed, and multiple teams from the same educational institution are allowed.
Q. Why is algae important to DOE?
A. The genetic diversity of algae means there are an incredible number of unique properties that can be harnessed to develop promising bioenergy, like algal biofuels, in addition to bioproducts.
Some of algae’s unique properties include:
- High potential yield per acre
- Ability to grow on land not suited for agriculture
- Ability to grow in saline, brackish, or wastewater
- Potential for recycling of water and nutrients during production
- Relative ease of conversion into fuels and products that are fully compatible with today’s vehicles, jets, and delivery systems.
Leadership Biographies
These biographies of DOE and AlgaePrize leadership are provided for members of the media reporting on the AlgaePrize.
Valerie Sarisky-Reed
Director for the Bioenergy Technologies Office
Dr. Valerie Sarisky-Reed is the director of the Bioenergy Technologies Office in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. In this role, she manages efforts to improve performance, lower costs, and accelerate market entry of bioenergy technologies. She assists in overseeing strategic planning to meet aggressive goals covered by the BETO research and development budget of approximately $250 million annually, working with the DOE's national laboratories, academia, and industry.
See her full biography on Energy.gov.
Ira (Ike) Levine
CEO, Algae Foundation
Ike is a professor emeritus of Natural and Applied Science at the University of Southern Maine and the CEO of Algal Aquaculture Professionals, LLC. Dr. Levine combines over 25 years of applied algal farming, cultivar enhancement and new product development with more than 15 years of academic appointments including; Chemistry Department, University of Hawaii; Biology Department, Duke University; and Biology Department, Chaminade University.
See his full biography on AlgaeFoundation.org.
Christy Sterner
Technology Manager, Renewable Carbon Resources
Christy Sterner is a Technology Manager and serves as one of the primary Algae subject matter experts for the Renewable Carbon Resources Program in the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO). She is the DOE Lead for the AlgaePrize Competition and has many projects in her portfolio ranging from core research at DOE's national laboratories to larger-scale pilot and demo projects.
See her full biography on Energy.gov.
AlgaePrize Sponsors and Supporters
The AlgaePrize competition is sponsored by:
With support from:
