This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) issued by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) supports the Biden Administration's goals of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and carbon pollution-free electricity by 2035. BETO aims to advance clean energy research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) to accelerate the production of sustainable biofuels and renewable chemicals. The FOA targets biofuels as a solution for hard-to-electrify transportation modes, such as aviation, marine, rail, off-road vehicles, and heavy-duty trucks, which account for 37% of the transportation sector’s energy use. These sectors are projected to grow significantly, making the production of "drop-in" biofuels a crucial near-term option to reduce carbon emissions.

The FOA’s primary focus is on advancing technology readiness and scaling up biorefineries to produce low-carbon fuels and renewable chemicals. BETO emphasizes technologies capable of achieving at least 70% lower lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to petroleum-based fuels. This funding will address technology gaps by supporting pilot- and demonstration-scale biorefineries that reduce technical uncertainties, helping pave the way for commercial deployment. BETO’s broader vision is to demonstrate multiple production pathways that can produce fuels for aviation, marine, and other difficult-to-decarbonize sectors while achieving the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Grand Challenge goal of 35 billion gallons of SAF production annually by 2050.

The FOA supports projects across three topic areas. Topic Area 1 focuses on scaling up pre-pilot technologies to pilot-scale integrated biorefineries, including the production of sustainable aviation, marine, rail, heavy-duty truck, and off-road fuels. This topic also includes novel process technologies that leverage existing first-generation biorefinery assets, infrastructure, and U.S.-produced oilseed crops. Topic Area 2 addresses the scale-up of technologies to demonstration-scale biorefineries that advance biofuel production pathways. Topic Area 3 supports the scale-up of technologies for producing organic chemicals and bioproducts that can replace petroleum-derived chemicals, reducing the carbon footprint of the chemical industry.

BETO's phased scale-up strategy includes two phases: Phase 1 involves verification, design, and planning, while Phase 2 covers detailed design, construction, and operation. This FOA will fund only Phase 1 activities, including design and planning for pilot and demonstration projects. Successful projects will be expected to provide prior data demonstrating technology readiness, either from BETO-funded projects or independent operations. BETO seeks projects leveraging predictive models and high-performance computing to reduce risks and accelerate the commercialization of these technologies.

Eligibility for this FOA is open to organizations such as private industry, DOE national laboratories, universities, and other stakeholders capable of advancing biofuel and bioproduct technologies. Applicants must propose the use of acceptable feedstocks, including agricultural and forestry wastes, algae, organic wet waste, municipal solid waste, food waste, and waste carbon dioxide (CO2). Projects proposing unapproved feedstocks will not be considered. Applications must also demonstrate a focus on advancing technologies that support sustainable fuels for hard-to-electrify transportation sectors.

A total of $12,000,000 is anticipated for this FOA, specifically for Phase 1 activities under all three topic areas. BETO expects selected projects to ultimately contribute to the goal of developing four to five demonstration-scale integrated biorefineries by 2030. These efforts will enable significant reductions in CO2 emissions, supporting the transition to a net-zero economy. Applicants can access a Teaming Partner List through EERE eXCHANGE to explore collaborative opportunities. Applications must include project plans, relevant technical data, and clear pathways for scale-up.