Executive Summary
DOE's Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks Office plans a funding call of up to $60 million for biomass and waste depots, refinery co-processing and hydrogen blending pilots. It is a Notice of Intent (DE-FOA-0003648): nothing can be submitted yet. DOE expects the funding notice in November 2026.
The planned awards are cooperative agreements of 3 to 5 years. Award size, number of awards and cost share are not stated yet. A teaming partner list is open on DOE eXCHANGE now, and DOE plans a webinar on a streamlined application process after the notice posts.
Solicitation at a Glance
- Agency: U.S. Department of Energy, Alternative Fuels and Feedstocks Office (AFFO)
- Opportunity: Notice of Intent: AFFO Multi-Topic NOFO, "Leveraging Domestic Infrastructure and Resources to Unleash Alternative Chemicals, Fuels, and Feedstocks"
- Number: DE-FOA-0003648 (Notice of Intent)
- Award vehicle: Cooperative agreements, 3 to 5 years
- Funding: Up to $60,000,000 total
- Status: Not open. DOE is "not requesting comments or applications at this time."
- Due date: To be announced in the NOFO
Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the funding notice posts.
What Is the AFFO Multi-Topic NOFO?
It is a planned DOE funding call to use existing U.S. biomass, refinery and pipeline infrastructure to expand production of alternative fuels, chemicals and feedstocks.
What Problem Is DOE Trying to Solve?
Alternative fuels and feedstocks need affordable, stable supply and a way into existing refineries and pipelines. DOE wants pilots that prove these steps at meaningful scale.
Priority Capability Areas: What DOE Is Looking For
- Topic 1, Biointermediate Depots: pilot sites processing 5 to 10 dry tons per day of biomass or waste into stable intermediates such as sugars, biocrudes or bio-oils
- Topic 2, Refinery Integration: processing intermediates in existing refinery or petrochemical assets, including a pilot run of at least 10 gallons per day for at least 1,000 cumulative hours
- Topic 3, Hydrogen and Natural Gas Blending: a pilot site blending up to 30% hydrogen by volume, with a stretch goal of 80%
Eligibility
- Topic 1: the prime recipient must be a for-profit organization; others may be subrecipients.
- Topic 2: all entities, including FFRDCs, can be prime recipients.
- Topic 3: all entities can be prime recipients except DOE FFRDCs, which can only be subrecipients.
- Cost share: not stated in the Notice of Intent; check the NOFO.
How to Prepare
- Join the Teaming Partner List on DOE eXCHANGE under DE-FOA-0003648.
- Line up your pilot site and partners (feedstock suppliers, refinery or pipeline owners).
- Watch for the NOFO on DOE eXCHANGE and Grants.gov, then join DOE's application webinar.
What Happens Next?
- November 2026 (expected): DOE issues the NOFO with deadlines, award sizes and cost share.
- After release: DOE webinar on the new application and review process.
Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?
It fits companies with biomass conversion, waste-to-intermediate, refinery co-processing or hydrogen blending technology that is ready for a pilot with an industrial host. Early lab-stage work is a weaker fit.
How BW&CO Can Help
BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For DOE cooperative agreements like the AFFO call, we help you:
- Choose the topic where your technology is strongest
- Assemble the team and pilot site before the NOFO posts
- Plan cost share and letters of commitment
- Write the full application to DOE's merit review criteria
- Handle compliance and submission in eXCHANGE
Plan Your DOE AFFO Application
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply now?
No. This is a Notice of Intent. DOE is not accepting applications until the NOFO is released.
When will the NOFO come out?
DOE says it expects to issue the NOFO in November 2026.
How much funding is planned?
Up to $60 million in total, as cooperative agreements of 3 to 5 years.
How large will each award be?
Award size and the number of awards are not stated yet.
Is cost share required?
The Notice of Intent does not say. Check the NOFO when it posts.
Can a startup lead?
Yes. Topic 1 requires a for-profit prime, and companies can lead Topics 2 and 3.
What can I do now?
Join the Teaming Partner List on DOE eXCHANGE and line up your pilot site and partners.
Can BW&CO help with a DOE AFFO application?
Yes. We can help you build the team and site plan now and write the application when the NOFO posts. Book a call with our team.
Source: DOE eXCHANGE: DE-FOA-0003648, Notice of Intent: AFFO Multi-Topic NOFO