University of connecticut, new award control number: 3505-1513 FOA number: DE-FOA-0003505 (catalchem-e) project title: ''react: revolutionary enhancements in AI-guided catalyst transformations'' the…

The Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency awarded the University of Connecticut a $2.916 million cooperative agreement on August 24, 2026, to lead the REACT (Revolutionary Enhancements in AI-Guided Catalyst Transformations) program under the Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy program (CFDA 81.135).

The award funds development of a closed-loop, continuously learning workflow that integrates high-throughput experimentation with advanced AI/ML to accelerate catalyst development. The multi-institutional team executes work across two phases and multiple technical areas: Phase 1 establishes the workflow operating system and automated screening; Phase 2 applies these tools to novel catalyst-reaction discovery, specifically targeting methane-to-methanol conversion. Deliverables include autonomous synthesis, uncertainty-aware optimization, kilogram-scale translation, and industry-relevant validation. Work is performed at Storrs, Mansfield, Connecticut, with an ultimate completion date of August 23, 2029. The obligated amount is $2,916,450.

University of connecticut, new award control number: 3505-1513 FOA number: DE-FOA-0003505 (catalchem-e) project title: ''react: revolutionary enhancements in AI-guided catalyst transformations'' the react program accelerates technical catalyst development by integrating high-throughput experimentation (HTE) with advanced AI/ML into a closed-loop, continuously learning workflow. Across two phases, the multi-institutional team progresses through technical areas (TAS) to execute autonomous synthesis, uncertainty-aware optimization, KG-scale translation, and industry-relevant validation. Phase 1 focuses on establishing the workflow operating system and automated screening, while phase 2 applies these tools to novel catalyst-reaction discovery, specifically targeting methane-to-methanol conversion.