Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0003648
The Department of Energy (DOE), through the Golden Field Office, has posted a Notice of Intent (NOI) indicating it may later release a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) titled "Leveraging Domestic Infrastructure and Resources to Unleash Alternative Chemicals, Fuels, and Feedstocks" (anticipated NOFO: DE-FOA-0003649; the NOI record references DE-FOA-0003648). The notice explains that DOE’s Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative (CMEI) intends to issue this NOFO on behalf of AFFO, with the general goal of backing projects that push the frontiers of science and engineering, strengthen U.S. energy capabilities, and accelerate American energy innovation. In practical terms, the potential funding would target technologies that make better use of infrastructure the United States already has, especially domestic biomass resources and existing pipeline systems, to expand how energy and energy-related products are produced and moved.
The main focus of the future NOFO, as described in the NOI, is to stimulate innovation across multiple alternative fuels and alternative feedstock areas, emphasizing solutions that can scale in real markets and take advantage of existing industrial assets. One major topic area is the production of biomass-derived liquid intermediate products that are chemically, thermally, and physically stable. These intermediates are envisioned as commodities that can be sold for a range of end uses, including serving as upgrade-ready inputs for making renewable fuels and chemicals. The emphasis on stability and commodity-like characteristics signals interest in “drop-in” or logistics-friendly intermediates that can be stored, shipped, and handled reliably, rather than materials that degrade quickly or require specialized, high-cost handling.
A second major topic area is producing commodity chemicals and fuels from alternative feedstocks at market-competitive prices, specifically by leveraging existing refinery assets. This points toward proposals that can integrate with or retrofit current refinery operations and equipment, lowering adoption barriers and reducing the need for entirely new greenfield facilities. The NOI frames this as a way to accelerate commercialization by using the infrastructure, workforce, and operational know-how already present in the U.S. refining and fuels sector, while shifting the input slate toward nontraditional or lower-carbon feedstocks.
A third topic area highlighted is establishing pilot sites for blended hydrogen and natural gas that closely simulate real gas distribution networks. The intent is to support testing in conditions that reflect actual pipeline and local distribution environments, not just lab-scale demonstrations. These pilots would be aimed at improving the reliability, scalability, suitability, performance, and durability of hydrogen blending approaches, which can include issues like materials compatibility, operational controls, metering, safety practices, end-use appliance impacts, and long-term system behavior under realistic operating cycles.
The NOI also makes clear what this announcement is not. It is strictly informational: DOE is not requesting applications, proposals, or public comments at this stage. All details are subject to change, and DOE explicitly notes that a future NOFO could differ substantially from what is described in the NOI, or DOE may decide not to issue a NOFO at all. If a NOFO is released, DOE indicates it will provide an official channel for questions at that time. The full notice and any eventual funding announcement would be published on DOE’s funding portal at https://exchange.energy.gov/.
Administrative details included in the listing characterize the opportunity as discretionary funding, with an "unrestricted" eligible applicant category, and an energy-related activity classification under CFDA 81.117. The posting shows an original closing date of 2027-04-26, but because this is an NOI (not an open solicitation), the more important takeaway is that the timeline and submission requirements will only be definite once a formal NOFO is issued. The listing also shows an award ceiling and expected awards of 0, which is consistent with an intent notice rather than an active funding competition.Apply for DE FOA 0003648
- The Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Notice of Intent to Issue NOFO DE-FOA-0003649: Leveraging Domestic Infrastructure and Resources to Unleash Alternative Chemicals, Fuels and Feedstocks" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.117.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-10-13.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-04-26.
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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FAQs: DOE Notice of Intent (NOI) - Leveraging Domestic Infrastructure and Resources to Unleash Alternative Chemicals, Fuels, and Feedstocks
1) What is this announcement?
This posting is a Notice of Intent (NOI) from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), issued through the Golden Field Office. It signals that DOE may later release a formal Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) titled "Leveraging Domestic Infrastructure and Resources to Unleash Alternative Chemicals, Fuels, and Feedstocks."
2) Is this an open funding opportunity right now?
No. The NOI is informational only. DOE is not requesting applications, proposals, or public comments at this stage.
3) What NOFO number is associated with this potential opportunity?
The NOI indicates an anticipated NOFO number of DE-FOA-0003649. The NOI record also references DE-FOA-0003648.
4) Who at DOE is planning this potential NOFO?
The NOI states that DOE's Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative (CMEI) intends to issue the NOFO on behalf of AFFO.
5) What is the overall goal of the potential NOFO?
The NOI describes a general goal of supporting projects that push the frontiers of science and engineering, strengthen U.S. energy capabilities, and accelerate American energy innovation. In practical terms, the focus is on technologies that make better use of existing U.S. infrastructure and domestic resources to expand how energy and energy-related products are produced and moved.
6) What kinds of infrastructure and resources are emphasized?
The NOI emphasizes leveraging infrastructure the United States already has, particularly domestic biomass resources and existing pipeline systems.
7) What are the main topic areas described in the NOI?
The NOI highlights three major topic areas: (1) biomass-derived liquid intermediate products that are stable and commodity-like, (2) commodity chemicals and fuels made from alternative feedstocks using existing refinery assets at market-competitive prices, and (3) pilot sites for blended hydrogen and natural gas that simulate real gas distribution networks.
8) What does DOE mean by "biomass-derived liquid intermediate products" in this context?
The NOI describes biomass-derived liquid intermediates that are chemically, thermally, and physically stable. These intermediates are envisioned as commodities that can be sold into multiple end uses, including serving as upgrade-ready inputs for renewable fuels and chemicals.
9) Why is stability of biomass-derived intermediates emphasized?
The NOI signals interest in intermediates that can be stored, shipped, and handled reliably (logistics-friendly), rather than materials that degrade quickly or require specialized, high-cost handling.
10) Are these biomass intermediates intended to be final products?
Based on the NOI description, they are envisioned as commodity-like intermediates that can be sold for a range of end uses, including as inputs that can be upgraded into renewable fuels and chemicals.
11) What does the NOI say about producing commodity chemicals and fuels from alternative feedstocks?
The NOI describes a topic area focused on producing commodity chemicals and fuels from alternative feedstocks at market-competitive prices by leveraging existing refinery assets.
12) What does "leveraging existing refinery assets" imply for projects?
The NOI points toward proposals that can integrate with or retrofit existing refinery operations and equipment, reducing reliance on entirely new greenfield facilities and lowering barriers to adoption by using established infrastructure and operational know-how.
13) What is the hydrogen blending pilot topic about?
The NOI describes establishing pilot sites for blended hydrogen and natural gas that closely simulate real gas distribution networks. The intent is to test under realistic pipeline and local distribution conditions, not just lab-scale demonstrations.
14) What kinds of issues might hydrogen blending pilots address, according to the NOI?
The NOI notes that pilots would aim to improve reliability, scalability, suitability, performance, and durability of hydrogen blending approaches, including considerations such as materials compatibility, operational controls, metering, safety practices, end-use appliance impacts, and long-term behavior under realistic operating cycles.
15) Can applicants submit questions to DOE now?
No. The NOI states that if a NOFO is released, DOE will provide an official channel for questions at that time.
16) Will a NOFO definitely be issued?
No. DOE explicitly notes that it may decide not to issue a NOFO at all.
17) If a NOFO is issued, will it match the NOI exactly?
Not necessarily. The NOI states that all details are subject to change and that a future NOFO could differ substantially from what is described in the NOI.
18) Where will the full notice and any eventual NOFO be published?
DOE indicates the full notice and any eventual funding announcement would be published on DOE's funding portal at https://exchange.energy.gov/.
19) What is the eligible applicant category shown in the listing?
The administrative details characterize eligibility as "unrestricted."
20) What type of funding is this characterized as?
The listing characterizes the opportunity as discretionary funding.
21) What CFDA assistance listing is associated with this posting?
The posting lists an energy-related activity classification under CFDA 81.117.
22) Why does the posting show an award ceiling and expected awards of 0?
The listing shows an award ceiling and expected awards of 0, which is consistent with an intent notice (NOI) rather than an active funding competition.
23) The listing shows a closing date of 2027-04-26. Does that mean applications are due then?
Not based on the NOI alone. Because this is an NOI and not an open solicitation, the NOI indicates that timeline and submission requirements will only be definite once a formal NOFO is issued.
24) What is the key takeaway for timing and next steps?
The key takeaway is that this is an early notification only. If DOE releases a NOFO, it will provide the definitive schedule, requirements, submission process, and question channel.
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