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Alternative Feedstocks for the U.S. Chemical Sector (ASPECT) - Bench ASPECT (expected NOFO) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks Office (AFFO). The Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks Office (AFFO) expects to issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) in August 2026 for its ASPECT program.
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DOE Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks Office Announces Intent to Advance Innovative Chemical Technologies | Department of Energy DOE Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks Office Announces Intent to Advance Innovative Chemical Technologies The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks Office (AFFO) today announced its intent to fund the advancement of novel, high-impact chemical technologies.
Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks Office Proposed DOE funding will accelerate domestic chemical production WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks Office (AFFO) today announced its intent to fund the advancement of novel, high-impact chemical technologies .
The proposed funding opportunity, Accelerating Scale-up and Pre-piloting of Emerging Chemical Technologies (ASPECT), will advance technologies for producing chemicals from alternative and waste feedstocks. In accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order Unleashing American Energy , this funding opportunity will strengthen domestic supply chains, reduce reliance on foreign imports, and accelerate American technology innovation.
More than 96% of manufactured goods rely on products from the U.S. chemical sector, which directly employs more than half a million Americans. The ASPECT funding opportunity will reinforce domestic manufacturing and chemical supply chains by expanding the use of alternative feedstocks. Funding provided through ASPECT will target chemical technologies that improve performance, reduce costs, and show large market growth potential.
AFFO expects to issue a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) in August 2026, making up to $58 million available for projects that address the following topic areas: Topic Area 1: Bench ASPECT – to support the development and adoption of new technologies for producing chemicals from alternative feedstocks, moving beyond proof-of-concept to bench and pre-pilot scale.
Topic Area 2: Pre-pilot ASPECT – to accelerate the development and market entry of strategically valuable, domestically produced chemicals. Following the NOFO announcement, AFFO will host an informational webinar to discuss a new, streamlined application and review process. Learn more about the topic areas, applicant eligibility and registration requirements, and the Teaming Partner List.
Visit DOE eXCHANGE to view the full NOI .
Energy Secretary Secures Mid-Atlantic Grid Ahead of Period of Hot Weather View Previous Press Release Small Stream, Big Step: Hanford Begins Transferring EMF Concentrate for Grouting Explore more on these topics: Advancing Energy Addition, Not Subtraction Alternative Fuel Vehicles Critical Materials and Minerals Entrepreneurship and Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Unleashing American Energy Innovation
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Not specified yet, but generally open to a range of entities involved in chemical technology R&D. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The published deadline was August 1, 2026, which has passed. Check the official notice for any future application windows before investing time in a proposal.
Alternative Feedstocks for the U.S. Chemical Sector (ASPECT) - Bench ASPECT (expected NOFO) is funded by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks Office (AFFO). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
CMEI intends to issue, on behalf of AFFO, a NOFO titled, “Accelerating Scale-up and Pre-piloting of Emerging Chemical Technologies (ASPECT).” This NOFO will seek applications for financial assistance from entities that wish to conduct work in support of AFFO's focus on emerging chemical technologies. AFFO supports expanding the supply and use of domestic alternative feedstocks to improve supply chain resiliency of U.S. chemical production and to expand domestic manufacturing through technology innovation to lower costs and improve environmental safety of chemical production.[1] Through this NOFO, AFFO seeks to support research, development, and scale-up of novel technologies for producing chemicals from alternative and waste feedstocks. Chemicals of interest include foundational molecules that can be further transformed into high-value end-products, chemical compounds or derivatives generated either from these foundational molecules or directly from alternative feedstocks through process intensification, as well as final end-products. This NOFO will aim to support work involving chemicals that offer advantages in terms of performance or cost, or that offer benefits to America’s foreign trade or national security. The proposed chemicals can be either conventional or bio-advantaged chemicals. Conventional chemicals must possess added benefits like improved domestic supply chain resiliency, reduced U.S. imports, reduced cost, or large market growth potential. Bio-advantaged chemicals must possess favorable properties—such as enhanced durability, production efficiency, or decreased toxicity—that create new value propositions. This Notice of Intent (NOI) is for informational purposes only; DOE is not requesting comments or applications at this time. All information provided here is subject to change. This notice serves to inform interested parties that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) may issue a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Please be aware that any future NOFO could differ significantly from what is described here, or one may not be issued at all. DOE will provide a designated channel for questions once a NOFO is officially released. This Notice of Intent can be viewed by visiting eere-exchange.energy.gov. [1]Energy Policy Act (EPAct) 2005, Pub. L. 109-58, § 931 as codified at 42 U.S.C. § 16231; EPAct 2005 § 932, as codified at 42 U.S.C § 16232. Funding Opportunity Number: DE-FOA-0003646. Assistance Listing: 81.087. Funding Instrument: O. Category: EN.
Diversification of nutritional food ingredient sources for increased EU resilience and strategic autonomy is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Successful proposals will contribute to the implementation of the EU initiative on Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing and the EU Life Sciences Strategy as well as the updated EU Bioeconomy Strategy, the upcoming EU Biotechnology Act and EU Circular Economy Act. Projects’ results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes: Full industrial scale biorefinery and related value chain(s) for the production of nutritional food ingredients. Resilience and strategic autonomy of EU food sectors via diversification of nutritional food ingredient sources. Increased environmental sustainability of food sectors (e.g. addressing issues like land use, water use, energy consumption, nitrogen cycle, other nutrients, etc.). Improved consumers awareness and acceptance of nutritional food ingredients from alternative sources, contributing to sustainable healthy diets. Scope: Human nutrition is a key area where the bio-based industries can play an important role in addressing the present societal and climate challenges. Considerable attention is given to the utilisation of alternative sources of proteins, fibres and oils/fats, due to the increasing world population and the pressure on finite natural resources. Many sources for food ingredients, alternative to agricultural crops, exist and have been successfully piloted across the EU. However, efforts are needed to scale up sustainable processes to achieve adequate or even improved nutritional properties, ensure safety and consumers/end users acceptance, while achieving cost competitiveness. Proposals under this topic should: Demonstrate (at TRL 8) the efficient production of nutritional ingredients for food applications. Proteins, lipids, specialty carbohydrates, and fibres are in scope. Target at least one of these as the main product driving the business case. Structural or functional ingredients such as colourants, preservatives, stabilisers, texturisers, enzymes are not in scope as the main product. Synergistic co-production of multiple and different food and feed ingredients and other bio-based products is also in scope following the cascading approach. All sources of bio-based feedstock [1] are in scope. Direct production of food from food crops, livestock, fisheries and aquaculture is not in scope. The use of industrial grade feedstock [2] from agricultural crops is in scope for conversion into food grade ingredients. Validate (at TRL 6 and above) the use of the obtained nutritional food ingredient(s) into the formulation of at least 1 food product proving quality, stability, nutritional and sensorial properties. Additional aspects related to prevention of intolerances/allergies, improved palatability and digestibility, health benefits, etc. are also in scope depending on the ingredient(s), formulation(s) and product(s) developed. Address resource efficiency and circularity aspects to increase economic and socio-environmental added value. When pursuing circular models, ensure that neither pathogens nor contaminants are injected back in the loop, to avoid negative toxicological effects. In addition to the specific requirements applicable for the type of action, as described in section 2.2.3.1 of the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026 [3] , proposals under this topic should: Assess the safety of developed nutritional food ingredients, in line with EU regulatory requirements and EFSA guidance documents. Moreover, identify potential EU regulatory gaps and propose recommendations to relevant EU policymakers on how to better support food ingredient companies (including startups and scaleups) in addressing EFSA risk assessment. As part of the multi-actor approach (MAA), involve end-users (including consumers) and other relevant actors starting from the early stages to gather input, raise awareness and ultimately foster market acceptance of the targeted end-products and incorporate insights into product development. Ensure complementarities and avoid overlaps with Programme areas: Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Bio-based Innovation Systems in the EU Bioeconomy, Horizon Europe (HORIZON) Keywords: Agricultural biotechnology and food biotechnology, Agricultural engineering, food safety, Food biotechnology, alternative sources, carbohydrates, circular economy, fibres, food ingredients, food products, food safety, lipids, nutrition, proteins, STEP-Biotech
SSbD bio-based polymers from alternative sources is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Successful proposals will contribute to the Circular Economy Action Plan, the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, the Chemical Industry Action Plan, and the Clean Industrial Deal. Projects results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes: Sustainable feedstock diversification for the production of bio-based polymers. Scalable process(es) for obtaining SSbD bio-based polymers from bio-based feedstock alternative to primary biomass. Enlarge the portfolio of performant bio-based polymers, opening up new market applications. Scope: Emerging alternative sources of bio-based polymers are gaining more and more attention as substitutes for primary biomass from agriculture and forestry. Additional R&I effort is needed to study innovative and scalable processes where bio-based polymers from unexplored/alternative resources are the main products. Proposals under this topic should: Develop (at TRL 5) efficient processes for synthesis and/or extraction of bio-based polymer(s) from the alternative sources in scope, targeting high yield and selectivity. Primary biomass from agriculture and forestry is out of scope; for other applicable feedstock the CBE JU Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) [1] and its Annex V can be consulted. When relevant, develop adequate pretreatment/fractionation of targeted feedstock. Both new bio-based polymers and already established ones (but currently produced at scale from primary feedstock) are in scope. Integrate further isolation and purification (when relevant) of obtained bio-based polymer(s) according to specific application requirements. Functionalisation of purified bio-based polymers to achieve targeted properties is also in scope. Test (at least at TRL 4) the suitability of obtained bio-based polymers in circular-by-design final applications targeting at least two market sectors. Validate the technical performances of developed bio-based polymers materials/products and proving to fulfil market requirements for selected application sector(s). Test (at least at TRL 4) for suitable, safe and sustainable EoL options (recycling, biodegradation, re-use and/or re-manufacturing). When targeting biodegradable bio-based polymers, test biodegradability according to existing standards and methods. In addition to the specific requirements applicable for the type of action, as described in section 2.2.3.1 of the CBE JU Annual Work Programme 2026 [1] , proposals under this topic should: As part of the multi-actor approach (MAA), involve bio-based feedstock providers and waste management operators, end-users in targeted application sector(s) and consumers (if targeting consumer products). Include a task to apply the SSbD framework, developed by the European Commission for the assessment of targeted bio-based polymers. For more information on the SSbD framework and criteria, refer to Safe and sustainable by design . Ensure complementarities with past and ongoing R&I projects addressing similar challenges, including projects funded under Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe (under Cluster 6 and other Clusters of Horizon Europe) and BBI JU/CBE JU projects. [1] https://www.cbe.europa.eu/reference-documents [2] https://www.cbe.europa.eu/reference-documents Programme areas: Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Bio-based Innovation Systems in the EU Bioeconomy, Horizon Europe (HORIZON) Keywords: Applied and industrial chemistry, Materials engineering, Polymer chemistry, Polymers and plastics, alternative feedstock sources, bio-based polymers, bio-based products, biodegradation, biorefinery, circular-by-design, polymer extraction, polymer synthesis, recycling, safe and sustainable by design
The Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks Office issued a Notice of Intent on July 14 for ASPECT — up to $58 million in cooperative agreements for producing chemicals from alternative and waste feedstocks, with the full NOFO expected August 24, 2026. Two topic areas, four sub-topics, 2-to-5-year performance periods, a required concept paper, and one requirement most applicants will miss: every project needs a for-profit industry partner, and universities cannot lead Topic Area 2. Here is how to use the pre-NOFO window.
Read articleThe DOE Quantum Genesis Q Competition (DE-FOA-0003657) posted September 17, 2026 with an October 19 deadline. Phase I pays $250,000 then $1.25M on milestones; Phase II is a $100M pool plus two $50M bonus pools at 150 and 200 logical qubits. It is an Other Transaction Agreement, not a grant.
Read articleThe full ASPECT NOFO (DE-FOA-0003647) posted September 4, 2026, eleven days later than the Notice of Intent predicted. The real document splits $58 million across two topic areas with anticipated award counts of 0-7 and 0-3, a cost share that jumps from 20 percent to 50 percent mid-project, a mandatory five-page concept paper due October 9, and a university eligibility restriction that decides team structure before anyone writes a word.
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