DE-FOA-0003646 Notice of Intent to Issue DE-FOA-0003647 Accelerating Scale-up and Pre-piloting of Emerging Chemical Technologies (ASPECT)

The U.S. Department of Energy, through its Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation within the Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks Office, has issued a Notice of Intent for a forthcoming funding opportunity titled Accelerating Scale-up and Pre-piloting of Emerging Chemical Technologies. This initiative is designed to advance the development of innovative chemical production technologies that utilize alternative and waste feedstocks. The program reflects the Department’s broader mission to strengthen domestic manufacturing, improve supply chain resilience, and enhance environmental performance across the chemical production sector. The Notice of Intent signals the Department’s intention to release a formal funding opportunity, though it clarifies that no applications are being accepted at this stage. The primary purpose of this anticipated funding opportunity is to support research, development, and scale-up of technologies that produce chemicals from alternative feedstocks. These include both conventional chemicals with improved cost, performance, or supply chain benefits, and bio-advantaged chemicals that demonstrate superior durability, efficiency, or reduced toxicity. The program emphasizes technologies that can reduce reliance on imports, improve national security, and contribute to domestic economic growth. It also aims to foster innovation in chemical manufacturing processes that can be scaled effectively from laboratory research to pre-pilot and pilot stages. Funding under this opportunity is expected to be distributed across two major topic areas. The first focuses on bench-scale development, supporting projects that move beyond proof-of-concept into more advanced laboratory and early engineering stages. The second focuses on pre-pilot scale systems, supporting the design, construction, and operation of integrated systems capable of producing chemicals from alternative feedstocks. These topic areas are further divided into subcategories that allow applicants to tailor their proposals based on the maturity of their technology and readiness for scale-up. The program is structured to address the common gap between laboratory success and commercial deployment. Eligible applicants for the anticipated funding opportunity include a broad range of domestic entities such as institutions of higher education, for-profit companies, nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, and federally recognized tribes. However, there are specific participation requirements, including the mandatory inclusion of at least one for-profit industry partner on each project team. Certain federal research entities, such as federally funded research and development centers, may participate only as subrecipients. These requirements are intended to ensure strong industry collaboration and practical pathways to commercialization. The application process, once the funding opportunity is released, will include submission of a concept paper as an initial step. This document will outline key elements of the proposed project, including the chemical product, feedstock, conversion pathway, participating entities, and justification for the technology’s advantages over current solutions. The Department plans to implement a streamlined application and review process to reduce administrative burden and accelerate award timelines. Applicants will be required to register with multiple federal systems, including SAM.gov, Grants.gov, FedConnect, and the DOE eXCHANGE platform, all of which may require significant lead time to complete. The anticipated timeline indicates that the formal funding opportunity may be released in late August, with subsequent application periods and deadlines to be defined at that time. The total program funding is expected to be substantial, with tens of millions of dollars allocated across multiple awards. Project durations are expected to range from two to five years depending on the topic area. The Department also plans to facilitate collaboration through a teaming partner list, allowing organizations to identify and connect with potential partners prior to application submission. Overall, this initiative represents a significant federal investment in advancing innovative chemical technologies and strengthening domestic production capabilities.