The Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC), which is based at UW–Madison and is a hub for many CALS faculty, is one of four bioenergy research centers funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. Established in 2007, GLBRC has produced 255 inventions, including plant-based medicines and plastics made from agricultural waste, highly effective and affordable organic fungicides, more resilient and productive crops, and trees engineered to more easily break down into fuels and chemicals.

GLBRC is developing this portfolio of plant-based products, methods, and tools for use in an emerging U.S. bioeconomy, and dozens of its patents have been licensed to industrial partners. Economic studies have shown that public support for the science behind these patents — particularly the basic research that private industry considers too risky or time-consuming — pays substantial long-term dividends, returning at least $5 in economic gains for every dollar spent.