DOE Offers $58 Million for Chemicals From Waste
On September 4, 2026, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks Office (AFFO) announced up to $58 million for new ways to make chemicals from biomass and waste, feedstocks the United States already has in abundance. The program is called Accelerating Scale-up and Pre-piloting of Emerging Chemical Technologies (ASPECT), funding opportunity DE-FOA-0003647. The first step is a concept paper, due October 9, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET.
Key Takeaways
| 01 | Up to $58 million, in awards of $2 million to $20 million. DOE expects about 10 awards for chemical technologies that use domestic alternative and waste feedstocks in place of imported inputs. |
| 02 | It is a scale-up program. DOE wants technologies that have already cleared proof of concept and are ready to move to bench and pre-pilot scale. |
| 03 | Concept papers are due October 9, 2026. Full applications follow in two stages, due December 1, 2026 and February 12, 2027. |
What DOE Wants to Fund
DOE is looking for chemical technologies that lower costs, perform better, and reduce reliance on imports. The announcement ties the funding to the Unleashing American Energy executive order. There are two topic areas: Topic Area 1 (Bench ASPECT) takes technologies past proof of concept to bench and pre-pilot scale, and Topic Area 2 (Pre-pilot ASPECT) moves strategically valuable, domestically produced chemicals toward market entry. Exhibit 1 sets out the terms.
Exhibit 1
Awards run $2 million to $20 million, and companies can apply as the lead under either topic area.
ASPECT program terms, DE-FOA-0003647
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total funding | Up to $58 million |
| Award size | $2 million to $20 million |
| Expected awards | About 10 |
| Cost share | Required |
| Topic Area 1: Bench ASPECT | New technologies that produce chemicals from alternative feedstocks, moving past proof of concept to bench and pre-pilot scale |
| Topic Area 2: Pre-pilot ASPECT | Development and market entry of strategically valuable chemicals produced in the United States |
| Who can apply | For-profit companies, small businesses, nonprofits, universities, and state, local, and tribal governments. Universities can lead only under Topic Area 1 and must be subrecipients under Topic Area 2. DOE national labs cannot be the prime recipient. |
| Application portal | DOE eXCHANGE |
Sources: DOE AFFO announcement, September 4, 2026; Grants.gov listing for DE-FOA-0003647.
Applications move in three steps: a concept paper, then a full application in two stages. Exhibit 2 lists each deadline.
Exhibit 2
Concept papers are the only near-term deadline, and they are due in about two weeks.
ASPECT application timeline, as of September 23, 2026
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| September 4, 2026 | Funding opportunity released |
| September 11, 2026 | Informational webinar (recording and slides posted) |
| October 9, 2026, 5:00 p.m. ET | Concept papers due |
| December 1, 2026 | Full application, Stage 1 due |
| February 12, 2027 | Full application, Stage 2 due |
| April 8, 2027 | Expected selection notification |
Source: DOE, ASPECT funding opportunity page.
What to Do Now
If your company has a chemical process on the bench that runs on biomass, agricultural residue, or industrial waste, this is worth a look. The concept paper is short and does not commit you to a full application. Applications go through the DOE eXCHANGE portal. If you want a second opinion on fit before October 9, reach out to our team.
References
- DOE Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks Office, DOE's Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks Office Announces up to $58 Million to Promote Chemical Innovation, September 4, 2026.
- DOE, Funding Notice: Accelerating Scale-up and Pre-piloting of Emerging Chemical Technologies (ASPECT), DE-FOA-0003647.
- Grants.gov, DE-FOA-0003647 opportunity listing, posted September 4, 2026.
- DOE eXCHANGE, ASPECT application portal.
- DOE, ASPECT Informational Webinar Proceedings, September 11, 2026.
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