Notice of Intent to Issue NOFO DE-FOA-0003649: Leveraging Domestic Infrastructure and Resources to Unleash Alternative Chemicals, Fuels and Feedstocks
🏛 Golden Field Office
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 18, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations developing alternative fuels, chemicals, and feedstocks using domestic biomass and pipeline resources. Eligible applicants likely include for-profit companies, research institutions, and nonprofits with technical capacity in energy technology. Projects must advance one or more focus areas: liquid biomass intermediates, commodity chemicals from alternative feedstocks using existing refineries, or hydrogen-natural gas blending pilot sites. This is a Notice of Intent only; formal eligibility will be detailed in the full NOFO when released.
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Program description
CMEI intends to issue, on behalf of AFFO, a NOFO titled, “Leveraging Domestic Infrastructure and Resources to Unleash Alternative Chemicals, Fuels, and Feedstocks”. This NOFO will seek applications for financial assistance awards that would support AFFO’s vision to push the frontiers of science and engineering, advance energy addition, and unleash American energy innovation.
The purpose of the potential NOFO is to solicit innovative technologies that harness existing domestic biomass and pipeline resources to expand energy production and distribution. The NOFO will advance multiple alternative fuels and feedstock technology areas to maximize the benefits of these existing resources: the production of liquid intermediate products made from biomass, that are chemically, thermally, and physically stable, and that could be sold as commodities for various end applications, including for further upgrading to renewable fuels and chemicals; production of commodity chemicals and fuels at market prices from alternative feedstocks, leveraging existing refinery assets; and establishing pilot sites for blended hydrogen-natural gas that closely simulate actual gas distribution networks, to improve reliability, scalability, suitability, performance, and durability.
This NOI is for informational purposes only; we are 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 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. We will provide a designated channel for questions once a NOFO is officially released. Complete information, including the full Notice of Intent, can be found on the DOE Funding Opportunities website: https://exchange.energy.gov/.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Complete information will be provided in the official NOFO release.
- Expect standard DOE forms and technical proposal sections.
- Budget and budget narrative will likely be required.
- References to existing infrastructure partnerships or commitments are anticipated.
Program contact
- 👤 Golden Field Office
- 📧 exchangehelp@hq.doe.gov
- 📞 2022871878
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 81.117 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$90,772,430
-
$30,857,920
-
$20,000,000
-
$20,000,000
-
$20,000,000
-
$19,994,487
-
$19,994,460
-
$19,994,217
-
$19,826,957
-
$19,082,560
Top States by Funding
- CA 10 awards $110.5M
- IN 1 awards $90.8M
- DC 12 awards $75.6M
- IL 7 awards $55.1M
- CO 5 awards $53.7M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 81.117). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2023 | $115,491,979 | |
| 2024 est. | $172,211,774 | |
| 2025 est. | $62,788,480 |
FAQ
What types of projects does this NOFO support?
The NOFO targets three areas: liquid intermediate products from biomass, commodity chemicals and fuels from alternative feedstocks, and hydrogen-natural gas blending pilot sites. Projects must leverage existing domestic infrastructure.
Who can apply for this funding?
Eligibility details will be provided in the full NOFO. Typically, DOE energy programs are open to for-profit companies, nonprofits, research institutions, and universities with relevant technical expertise.
When is the application deadline?
The current Notice of Intent indicates an April 26, 2027 deadline, but this is subject to change. Final details will appear in the official NOFO release.
Is this a Notice of Intent or a live funding opportunity?
This is a Notice of Intent only. No applications are being accepted at this time. The full NOFO may differ significantly from this preliminary description.
Where can I find more information?
Complete details will be posted on the DOE Funding Opportunities website (exchange.energy.gov) once the NOFO is officially released.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Review the full NOFO carefully when released; preliminary announcements often change significantly in scope and eligibility.
- Start building partnerships now if your project requires collaboration with refineries, biomass suppliers, or energy infrastructure operators.
- Ensure your technology directly supports one of the three focus areas: biomass intermediates, alternative feedstock conversion, or hydrogen blending.
- Document your access to and plan for using existing domestic infrastructure; this is a key requirement emphasized in the description.
- Track DOE Funding Opportunities website for the official release date; early preparation improves competitiveness.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications that lack clear connection to existing domestic infrastructure or that propose new infrastructure instead of leveraging existing resources. Projects failing to address one of the three specific technology areas (biomass intermediates, commodity chemicals, hydrogen blending). Insufficient technical detail or commercialization pathway to demonstrate feasibility at scale.
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