DOE Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks Office Announces Intent to Advance Innovative Chemical Technologies

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.