Issue 39: August 27, 2025

AlgaePrize 2023–2025 Competition Weekend Is A Huge Success!

The AlgaePrize Competition, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office and supported by The Algae Foundation and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), challenges students to become the next generation of bioeconomy professionals by developing novel solutions for algae production, processing, and new product development—paving the way toward gigaton-scale algae commercialization.

The AlgaePrize 2023–2025 Competition began in August 2023 with 50 teams and hundreds of students from across the country submitting innovative proposals in hopes of earning the title of Grand Champion, winning up to $35,000 in prize funds, and gaining national recognition. Competitors represented high schools, colleges, and universities across the United States, gaining hands-on experience in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Over the course of the competition, teams developed creative solutions for algae production, processing, and product development to help lower the costs of producing algal biofuels and bioproducts. 

From the initial 50 teams, 15 finalists were selected and awarded $10,000 each to conduct research over two academic years. Their efforts culminated in the AlgaePrize 2025 Competition Weekend, held at NREL’s campus in Golden, Colorado, where teams presented their research to an expert panel of judges, competed for additional prizes, and gained invaluable networking opportunities and professional experience.

On July 18–20, 2025, 13 finalist teams gathered at NREL for a dynamic and inspiring weekend. From poster sessions featuring multiple rounds of rigorous Q&A to finalist presentations and Grand Champion evaluations, the depth and breadth of student research were extraordinary. Mentoring roundtables, lively meal discussions, and last-minute presentation reviews added richness to an already remarkable experience.

Selecting the Champion and Grand Champion was no easy task. Our dedicated judging panel spent countless hours reviewing, assessing, and deliberating, not only on the science itself, but also on the students’ ability to understand, articulate, and defend their projects. Each day brought new moments of pride and excitement, showcasing how these students advanced the algae value chain while building confidence and clarity in their work.

This year’s Grand Champion was Team Parachlorella Plastic Pals from the University of California, San Diego. The team received $25,000 for their innovative work to create biodegradable plastic (TPU) from algae, focusing on three key steps: growing the algae, converting its oil into usable components, and producing and testing the final plastic products. 

Four other teams were named Champion Teams and each received $10,000: 

• AlgaeNano+ – University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras, San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Aloha Limu – University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Hilo, Hawai‘i
• BlazerBloom – Hood College, Frederick, Maryland
• JCCC Chlorella Cavaliers – Johnson County Community College, Overland Park, Kansas 

We extend our deepest thanks to the many individuals and organizations who made this program possible, including the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office, the outstanding team at NREL, and our roster of expert judges, industry professionals, mentors, volunteers, and attendees. Their contributions brought the AlgaePrize to life.

Most importantly, we celebrate the students and faculty advisors, the true heart of this program. It has been our privilege to collaborate with these brilliant teams over the past two years. Witnessing their creativity, dedication, and breakthroughs was an unforgettable experience and one that inspires the future of the algae industry!

Click on the button below to view all the photos from the AlgaePrize 2025 Weekend to experience the competition firsthand. 

It’s Algae Academy season and, for the first time, the application has closed before the school year has even begun! We are excited to serve more teachers than ever this year with engaging hands-on science. Look for updates and pictures from Fall 2025 Algae Academy in the next newsletter! 

In summer 2025, the Algae Foundation facilitated four virtual sessions of the Summer Algae Science Institute (SASI). Three sessions were hosted directly by the Foundation and served educators nationwide, while the fourth was hosted in partnership with the Baxter Center for Science Education at Northwestern University—marking the fourth year of this ongoing collaboration. Each SASI training was led by a member of our Teacher Advisory Board. In total, SASI delivered hands-on professional development to 95 educators across 23 states.  The waitlist for Summer 2026 has already received numerous entries! Get your name on the waitlist below:

Bring Algae Science to Life with Our Table Top Microalgae Raceway Ponds! 

Bring algae science to life in your classroom or lab with our hands-on, stackable mini raceways!

Designed to replicate open-pond cultivation, these 26" x 12" x 5.25" micro ponds hold up to 15L and are perfect for: 

• Classroom demonstrations
• Laboratory experiments
• Science fair projects 

Each raceway is built with recycled, durable plastic and engineered for both functionality and easy storage. Expose algae cultures to sunlight, experiment with mixing and flow, and give students a real-world look at algae innovation. Click the link below to visit our store and order yours today to inspire the next generation of algae scientists! 

*Only the Microalgae Raceway is included with purchase on our Shopify. To complete the setup with a pump and lights, view our Raceway shopping list here. 

NOAA’s SECART 2025 Sargassum Webinar Series feat. Algae Foundation CEO, Dr. Ike Levine!

NOAA’s Southeast and Caribbean Regional Collaboration Team (SECART) launched a five-part webinar series to raise awareness about key issues surrounding Sargassum. Each webinar explored different aspects of Sargassum research, management, and its impacts on coastal communities and ecosystems.

The goal of this series was to foster knowledge-sharing and regional collaboration across affected areas as impacts from Sargassum inundation events continue to grow.

Our CEO, Dr. Ira “Ike” Levine, recently participated as a guest speaker, alongside Dr. Brad Whalen of the Idaho National Laboratory, in the webinar Golden Tide Opportunities – New Product Development as a Function of Availability, Collection, and Stabilization. 

This webinar marked the fifth and final installment of the series, examining the challenges and opportunities presented by Sargassum Inundation Events. With 5–50 million tons of landed Sargassum biomass potentially available, there are significant opportunities for new product development across the Caribbean and surrounding regions. However, collection, stabilization, and transport remain major challenges. These issues, along with the commercial conversion of Sargassum biomass into valuable products—ranging from food, feed, and fuels to construction materials, dyes, nutraceuticals, and cosmeceuticals—have been the focus of intense research and discussion.

Investment in collection and processing facilities depends on reducing the risks associated with biomass availability. The development of efficient feedstock logistics systems is essential to realizing Sargassum’s potential as a raw material for a variety of commercial applications. Successful harvesting and collection approaches must minimize costs while prioritizing biomass stability and quality. Given its high moisture and ash content, transportation distance is a key factor in making bioproduct production viable.

Sargassum availability fluctuates widely by location, day, season (April–October), and year. Since biorefinery operations rely on a constant supply of feedstock, effective storage solutions are critical to ensuring high-quality biomass is available year-round. Current research addressing these challenges—as well as existing research gaps—was discussed in detail during the session.

We also invite you to explore all the recordings from the SECART 2025 Sargassum Webinar Series here.

Until next time, Algae Enthusiasts!