This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is being re-opened to solicit applications for new Areas of Interest, which include:

AOI 1. Carbon Conversion Technology

The objective of AOI-1 is to support R&D investigating the conversion of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into environmentally responsible and economically feasible products. The Carbon Conversion Program will support R&D of technologies that utilize anthropogenic CO₂ from point sources such as power/industrial flue gas and direct air capture to yield valued-added products while simultaneously reducing CO₂ emissions. Supported R&D will validate results through rigorous product testing, life cycle analysis, and techno-economic analysis.

Under the current FOA opening, applications are solicited in the following subtopics:

• AOI-1C. Non-Photosynthetic Biological Conversion of CO2: The objective of AOI-1C is to support R&D for the non-photosynthetic biological conversion of anthropogenic CO2. Proposed R&D may include but is not limited to; microbe selection, fermentation, reactor design, electrolyzer integration, and gas recycling. Supported R&D must clearly identify an end product and quantify product performance through relevant standard testing methodologies and will validate environmental benefits and economic feasibility through rigorous life cycle and techno-economic analyses, respectively.
• AOI-1D. Conversion of CO2 to Plastics: The objective of AOI-1D is to support R&D for the conversion of anthropogenic CO2 to plastics. Proposed R&D may utilize any pathway; whether biological or catalytic (including thermal, plasma, microwave, or electrochemical). Proposed R&D should identify the plastic produced, the intended end-use application, and the conversion process. Supported R&D will quantify plastic performance in its intended end-use application through relevant standard testing methodologies. Supported R&D will also validate environmental benefits and economic feasibility through rigorous life cycle and techno-economic analyses, respectively.
• AOI-1E. Conversion of CO2 to Solid Carbon Products: The objective of AOI-1E is to support R&D for the conversion of anthropogenic CO2 to solid carbon products. Proposed R&D may utilize any pathway, whether biological or catalytic (including thermal, plasma, microwave, or electrochemical). Proposed R&D should identify the solid-carbon product produced, the intended end-use application, and the conversion process. Supported R&D will quantify solid carbon product performance in its intended end-use application through relevant standard testing methodologies. Supported R&D will also validate environmental benefits and economic feasibility through rigorous life cycle and techno-economic analyses, respectively.

AOI-3. Point Source Carbon Capture Technology

The objective of AOI-3 is to solicit applications that are specifically focused on developing lower cost, highly efficient technologies for point source carbon capture from fossil fuel power plants and industrial point sources capturing CO₂ that is suitable for secure geologic carbon storage, including in situ mineralization or CO₂ conversion into long-lasting products (e.g., synthetic aggregates, concrete, durable carbon products).

Under the current FOA opening, applications are solicited in the following subtopic:

• AOI-3E. Carbon Capture R&D for Electric Generation and Industrial Point Sources: Development of Enabling Technologies: The objective of AOI-3E is to support the development of technologies that enable the scale-up and demonstration of point source carbon capture systems installed at electric generation facilities and industrial facilities. Technologies of interest include but are not limited to processes and approaches to: (a) reduce carbon capture media degradation; (b) reclaim the degraded carbon capture media; (c) reduce nonCO2 emission through engineering controls (e.g., flue gas pre-treatment, and capture system emissions); and (d) monitor, report, and verify (MRV) non-CO2 emissions.