Description
The Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks Office (AFFO) is issuing a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to fund research, development, and pre‑pilot testing of innovative chemical‑production technologies that use alternative or waste feedstocks. Up to $58 million is available across two topic areas: “Bench ASPECT” (early‑stage, bench‑scale and unit‑operation scale‑up) and “Pre‑pilot ASPECT” (design, construction, and operation of integrated pre‑pilot facilities). Awards will be made as cooperative agreements, with a minimum 20 % cost‑share (higher for certain sub‑topics) and project periods ranging from 24 to 60 months. Ten awards are anticipated, each ranging from $2 M to $20 M. Applicants must include at least one for‑profit industry partner and may be higher‑education institutions, non‑profits, state/local governments, or tribal entities.
• Funding: $58 M total; $2 M–$10 M per award (Bench) or $10 M–$20 M per award (Pre‑pilot)
• Topics: Bench‑scale tech (1a, 1b) and full pre‑pilot system (2a, 2b)
• Eligibility: U.S. entities (higher‑ed, for‑profit, non‑profit, state/local, tribal); DOE FFRDCs only as sub‑recipients
• Key dates: Concept paper due 10/09/2026; Full application due 12/01/2026; Award decision 04/12/2027
• Required cost‑share: 20 % (higher for certain phases)
• Deliverables: Technical report, design documents, verification, techno‑economic analysis, NEPA compliance, etc.