Future of Manufacturing Fund Year III

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.

Develop breakthrough and sustainable bio-based textile fibres is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Successful proposals will contribute to the updated EU Bioeconomy Strategy, the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles, the Clean Industrial Deal, and the Ecodesign Sustainable Products Regulation. Indirect contribution is expected towards the objectives of the Horizon Europe Mission "Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030" in particular to Obj 2: "Prevent and eliminate pollution of our oceans, seas and waters”. Projects results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes: Wider availability of natural and/or man-made bio-based fibres meeting market requirements. Scalable production processes for novel man-made and/or modified natural fibres. Enhanced circularity and prevent microplastics release compared to benchmarks. Scope: Fossil-based synthetic textile fibre production has grown significantly, reaching 67% of the global market in 2023. [1] Among bio-based fibres, cotton plays a prominent role as it is the second most produced fibre at global level; however, it bears serious environmental concerns due to its massive land use and water consumption; moreover, the EU holds a minor share of the global cotton production (around 2%) and it is expected to remain a net importer in the future. Novel sustainable sources of natural fibres require significant improvements in some steps of textile production such as retting/degumming, spinning, modification and treatment. Man-made (synthetic and semi-synthetic) bio-based fibres are also slightly increasing their current market share, however there is a need to improve their technical performances to meet the requirements of final textile applications. Proposals under this topic should: Develop breakthrough processes to yield bio-based textile fibres from sustainably sourced biomass feedstock. Bio-based textile waste is eligible as feedstock. Bio-based man-made (synthetic and semi-synthetic) fibres and/or the extraction, refinement and functionalisation of natural fibres are in scope. Ensure compatibility with existing textile manufacturing processes and equipment to facilitate market penetration. Design the bio-based fibre(s) to improve specific technical requirements against state-of-the-art benchmarks, e.g., tenacity, flexibility, spinning quality, elasticity/plasticity, thermal resistance, flammability and durability. Test these properties according to existing standards/methods to assess the compatibility with end-products requirements. Design the bio-based textile fibres for sustainable end of life. Assess the actual feasibility of the targeted end of life option(s). Prevent release of microplastics and other harmful substances along the whole product life cycle. 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 [2] , proposals under this topic should: As part of the multi-actor approach (MAA), ensure adequate involvement of all key actors in the value chains relevant for this topic, including textiles manufacturers, feedstock suppliers, end users and/or consumers. Include a task to apply the SSbD framework, developed by the European Commission for the assessment of targeted textile fibres. 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 Cluster 4 of Horizon Europe, including the partnership ‘Textiles of the Future’) and BBI JU/CBE JU projects. [1] HARMSEN, P., SKRIFVARS, M. and MAGNOLFI, V., Bio-based textiles in a sustainable and circular bioeconomy, BORZACCHIELLO, M.T. (editor), European Commission, Ispra, 2025, JRC140676. [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: Materials engineering, Polymers and plastics, Textiles, Textiles including synthetic dyes, colours, fibres, bio-based textile fibres, man-made fibres, microplastics, natural fibres, safe and sustainable by design, textile manufacturing

Advancing the European bio-based innovation enabled by biotechnology and biomanufacturing concepts is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: significant advance in the development of innovation in biotechnology, life sciences and/or biomanufacturing concepts, preparing future deployment of bio-based and bio-inspired processes, products and materials, as a basis for sustainable, fair, safe and circular value chains, contributing to decarbonisation, industrial competitiveness and the strategic autonomy of the EU and Associated Countries; improved environmental sustainability of the developed innovative bio-based solutions, with positive and quantifiable impact on climate and biodiversity, and circularity of the European bioeconomy via enhanced resource efficiency, including of biological feedstocks, water and energy, integrating bio-based sector to minimize and remediate waste production. Scope: Actions funded under this topic are relevant to the EU policies related to the European Commission communication on ‘Building the future with nature: Boosting Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing in the EU’, the Life Sciences Strategy, the upcoming EU Biotech Act, and Circular Economy Act, the EU strategy on research and technology infrastructure, the Clean Industrial Deal and the policies related to the digital transition (e.g. AI Act, etc.). It also contributes to the Start-ups and Scale-ups Strategy. Proposals should address the following activities: identify, select and develop further promising selected key technologies underpinning the bio-based innovation/industry, in particular R&D on synthetic/molecular biology, gene editing, metabolic engineering, microbiome [1] , and/or biofoundry approaches, covering all applications aiming at clean growth and environmental solutions. Advancing towards validation at a pilot-scale is encouraged, to enable future exploitation. The applications in health biotechnology, as well as the biofuel/bioenergy area are excluded, to avoid overlaps with Horizon Europe Clusters 1 and 5, respectively; ensure the integration of digital technologies (e.g. AI/Machine Learning, bioinformatics); advance the convergence of biotech and life sciences developed under the first point with Nature-based Solutions, e.g. for environmental applications, carbon sequestration [2] , biodiversity protection/enhancement, aligned with (bio-)circular economy principles (e.g. cascading biomass use), ensuring the environmental fate and sustainability is considered quantitatively at the earliest stage and ensuring safety to human health and environment is addressed and guaranteed; develop recommendations for policy makers and industrial actors, taking into account the available scientifically sound assessment of risks and benefits of the developed solutions. Proposals should involve SMEs – both as project beneficiaries and as external actors – and offer opportunities to newcomers (to Horizon Europe Cluster 6). Proposals should also engage with the civil society stakeholders such as NGOs and consumer organisations to seek stakeholder involvement and acceptance, thus advancing scale-up and facilitating future market uptake. Proposals need to ensure compliance with the ‘Do no significant harm’ (DNSH) principle. Proposals are encouraged to consider, where relevant, the data, expertise and services offered by European research infrastructures [3] , such as EMSO ERIC, EU-OPENSCREEN, ELIXIR, EMBRC ERIC, IBISBA. Efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced in the context of this topic is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable). Cooperation with the parallel projects funded under topic HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-10: Bio-based innovation in society: supporting the sustainable way of living is encouraged, to benefit from synergies and avoid overlaps. Similarly, activities should benefit from synergies and avoid overlaps with ongoing projects, e.g. funded under the topic HORIZON-CL6-2022-CIRCBIO-02-05-two-stage: Life sciences and their convergence wi Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Bio-based Innovation Systems in the EU Bioeconomy Keywords: Agricultural biotechnology, Bio-based products (products that are manufactured using biological material as feedstock) bio-based materials, bio-based plastics, biofuels, bio-based and bio-derived bulk and fine chemicals, bio-based and bio-derived novel materials, Biochemistry and molecular biology, Bioprocessing technologies (industrial processes relying on biological agents to drive the process) biocatalysis, fermentation, Bioproducts (products that are manufactured using biological material as feedstock) biomaterials, bioplastics, biofuels, bioderived bulk and fine chemicals, bio-derived novel materials, Cell biology and molecular transport mechanisms, Cell biology, Microbiology, DNA synthesis, modification, repair, recombination, degradation, Environmental biotechnology, Environmental biotechnology related ethics, Environmental biotechnology, bioremediation, biodegradation, General biochemistry and metabolism, Industrial biotechnology, Natural resources exploration and exploitation, Other biological topics, Plant sciences, botany, Proteomics, RNA synthesis, processing, modification and degradation, Social innovation, Social sciences, interdisciplinary, bio-based, bio-product, bioeconomy, biofoundry, bioinformatics, biomanufacturing, bioproduct, biotechnology, environmental biotechnology, gene editing, industrial biotechnology, life sciences, microbiome, synthetic biology