The Bioeconomy Institute at Iowa State University leads the nation and world in advancing the bioeconomy, where society obtains food, energy, bioproducts, and associated services from renewable sources. The institute was established in 2007 to serve as the "front door" to biorenewables at the university and to foster connections among departments, colleges, and research units across campus. We support over 50 industry partners to drive innovation and transform renewable and waste resources into high-value products. We collaborate with over 130 faculty and staff affiliates who are engaged in fundamental, applied, and translational research projects related to biorenewable resources, including feedstock development, waste utilization, biobased products, and associated services. We are passionate about homegrown resources and providing new opportunities in rural communities. We especially excel at transdisciplinary collaboration, research and demonstration of processing systems and conversion technologies, and scaling biobased technologies and associated services toward commercialization. The bioeconomy requires tight linkages among farmers, scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, and investors to expand and grow.
Our Mission
Advance the bioeconomy, serving society.
Our Vision
A world where people and nature thrive on a robust bioeconomy.
Our Core Values
- Curiosity: Encourage wonder and open inquiry.
- Innovation: Advance creative, forward-looking efforts that provide tangible value.
- Connectivity: Promote convergence across disciplines, ideas, learning, collaborations, and outcomes.
- Integrity: Be honest in our actions and true to our commitments.
- Respect: Recognize and honor good faith intent and effort.
- Urgency: Facilitate rapid advancements toward commercial application.
Our Guiding Principles
- Advance Iowa State University's land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.
- Be nimble, entrepreneurial, and solutions-focused.
- Promote cross-sector conversations, systems thinking, and multidimensional effort.
- Foster personal and collective growth and impact.
- Create new bioeconomic opportunities, especially for rural areas.
