The Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) is offering a funding opportunity under the Plant Engineering to Revolutionize Sustainable Energy Production and Heighten Opportunities for Novel Efficiency (PERSEPHONE) program, aimed at developing innovative genetic engineering tools for bioenergy crops. The program seeks to address significant challenges in bioenergy crop engineering, including low transformation efficiencies and lengthy processes, with a goal of increasing annual energy production by at least 1 quadrillion BTUs and mitigating over 60 metric tons of CO2 equivalents. This initiative is crucial for enhancing U.S. bioenergy capacity and resilience, promoting the democratization of plant genetic engineering through three main technical categories: developing high-performance tools, innovating novel methods, and establishing biocontainment technologies. Interested small businesses must submit their applications by March 4, 2025, with approximately $15 million in total funding available for this program. For further details, applicants can visit the ARPA-E eXCHANGE website or contact ARPA-E at ARPA-E-CO@hq.doe.gov.