Accelerating Scale-up and Pre-piloting of Emerging Chemical Technologies (ASPECT)
🏛 Golden Field Office
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Sep 4, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for advancing chemical technologies using alternative and waste feedstocks toward pre-pilot scale. Eligible lead applicants include for-profit companies, nonprofits, and certain research institutions. Universities can lead Topic Area 1 projects only; they serve as subrecipients in Topic Area 2. DOE labs (FFRDCs) and non-DOE FFRDCs must be subrecipients, not prime recipients. Federal agencies cannot be prime recipients.
The grant supports R&D progression across four subtopic areas based on technology maturity. Topic Area 1 addresses bench-scale research (1a) and pre-pilot advancement (1b). Topic Area 2 covers critical unit operations testing (2a) and full pre-pilot facility design/construction/operation (2b).
Awards range from $2M to $20M. Cost-sharing is required. All projects operate through cooperative agreements with DOE. Applications must include a concept paper (due 10/09/2026) followed by full application (due 12/01/2026).
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
DOE CMEI is dedicated to securing America’s energy future by reinforcing domestic critical mineral supply chains, driving next-generation energy technology and manufacturing research, and promoting affordable, consumer-friendly solutions. CMEI’s AFFO is issuing this ASPECT NOFO, DE-FOA-0003647, to support research, development, and pre-pilot testing of innovative technologies that produce chemicals from alternative and waste feedstocks, mobilizing America’s abundant alternative feedstocks resources.
The goal of this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is to advance promising chemical technologies that utilize alternative feedstocks through multiple levels of maturity and, in some cases, to pre-pilot scale. To accomplish this, the NOFO is divided into two topic areas, each divided into two subtopic areas designed to provide different on-ramps for technologies at different stages of development.
Topic Area 1 supports the progression of technologies in the R&D phase. Subtopic Area 1a supports advancing early-stage research to bench scale. Subtopic Area 1b is intended to move projects closer to pre-pilot scale, to a point where critical unit operations must be further developed and demonstrated.
Topic Area 2 provides an on-ramp for technologies ready to move from R&D to full pre-pilot scale and operations. Projects applying to Topic Area 2 should aim to advance their technology to design, construct, and operate pre-pilot scale facilities. Both subtopic areas have the same goal—to move technologies into integrated pre-pilot systems and operate them—but allow for two different points of entry. Subtopic Area 2a targets preliminary pre-pilot scale testing of critical unit operations before engineering and design can commence for the entire system while Subtopic Area 2b projects will involve technologies that are ready for design and construction of an integrated pre-pilot facility.
Please see the full NOFO document at eere-exchange.energy.gov.
Questions regarding the NOFO must be submitted to ASPECT@doe.gov.
The required Concept Paper due date for this NOFO is 10/09/2026 at 5PM ET. The Full Application due date for this NOFO is 12/01/2026 at 5PM ET.
As stated in the Notice of Intent (search DE-FOA-0003646 in eXCHANGE), a Teaming Partner List has been compiled to encourage collaboration and facilitate the formation of new project teams. Visit: TPL-0000073 Teaming Partner List for DE-FOA-0003646 NOI to Publish DE-FOA-0003647
The eXCHANGE system is currently designed to enforce hard deadlines for Concept Paper and Full Application submissions. The APPLY and SUBMIT buttons automatically disable at the defined submission deadlines. The intention of this design is to consistently enforce a standard deadline for all applicants.
Applicants that experience issues with submissions PRIOR to the NOFO Deadline: In the event that an Applicant experiences technical difficulties with a submission, the Applicant should contact the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance (exchangehelp@hq.doe.gov). The eXCHANGE helpdesk and/or the EERE eXCHANGE System Administrators (eXCHANGE@ee.doe.gov) will assist the Applicant in resolving all issues.
Applicants that experience issues with submissions that result in a late submission: In the event that an Applicant experiences technical difficulties with a submission that results in a late submission, the Applicant should contact the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance (exchangehelp@hq.doe.gov). The eXCHANGE helpdesk and/or the EERE eXCHANGE System Administrators (eXCHANGE@ee.doe.gov) will assist the Applicant in resolving all issues (including finalizing the submission on behalf of, and with the Applicant’s concurrence). DOE will only accept late applications when the Applicant has a) encountered technical difficulties beyond their control; b) has contacted the eXCHANGE helpdesk for assistance; and c) has submitted the application through eXCHANGE within 24 hours of the NOFO’s posted deadline.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Concept Paper (due 10/09/2026)
- Full Application (due 12/01/2026)
- Project Narrative with technology readiness and maturity pathways
- Budget and cost-sharing documentation
- Teaming agreement(s) if applicable
Program contact
- 👤 Golden Field Office
- 📧 ASPECT@doe.gov
- 📞 2022871878
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 81.087 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$292,505,705
-
$141,695,691
-
Avapco Llc GA$100,000,000
-
$69,520,898
-
$66,736,496
-
$65,645,481
-
$49,550,000
-
$42,681,706
-
$41,186,672
-
Verdagy Inc CA$39,633,303
Top States by Funding
- UT 3 awards $349.9M
- NY 10 awards $290.1M
- OR 7 awards $251.4M
- CA 14 awards $220.3M
- GA 1 awards $100.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who can be the prime recipient for Topic Area 1 vs. Topic Area 2?
For-profit companies, nonprofits, and universities can lead Topic Area 1. Only companies and nonprofits can lead Topic Area 2; universities must be subrecipients. Federal labs and agencies cannot be prime recipients in either topic.
What is the application timeline?
Concept papers are due October 9, 2026 by 5 PM ET. Full applications are due December 1, 2026 by 5 PM ET. Both have hard deadlines in the eXCHANGE system.
What technologies and activities are supported?
Projects develop chemical production technologies using alternative or waste feedstocks. Activities range from bench-scale R&D through design and operation of pre-pilot facilities, depending on the subtopic.
What makes applications competitive?
Strong teaming, clear technology maturity pathways, demonstrated feedstock availability, and realistic commercialization timelines strengthen applications. Leveraging the published Teaming Partner List may improve collaboration strength.
What is the typical award size?
Awards range from $2 million to $20 million. Exact amounts depend on project scope, technology stage, and pre-pilot facility requirements.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Form collaborative teams early using the published Teaming Partner List to strengthen proposals and demonstrate complementary expertise.
- Clearly map your technology's current maturity level to the correct subtopic area; misalignment signals weak readiness assessment.
- Address cost-sharing obligations upfront; identify committed partner funding and explain how it strengthens your project.
- Build a realistic pre-pilot pathway that shows how R&D findings will translate to facility operations and commercial viability.
- Submit concept papers well before the October 9 deadline; DOE's feedback will strengthen your full application due December 1.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applying to the wrong subtopic based on technology maturity. Universities attempting to lead Topic Area 2 projects. Underestimating cost-share requirements or failing to document committed funding sources.
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