Fueling Aviation’s Sustainable Transition via Sustainable Aviation Fuels (FAST-SAF) and Low-Emissions Aviation Technologies (FAST-Tech) Grant

The objective is to make investments through a new FAST Grant Program to accelerate the production and use of SAF, in line with the SAF Grand Challenge, and to accelerate the development and demonstration of low-emission aviation technologies in supp

The program has the potential to make investments to accelerate SAF availability and meet national goals for SAF adoption. Examples include, but are not limited to: • Installation of distillation columns at renewable diesel facilities to enable production of SAF. • Development of novel, low carbon SAF transportation and logistics networks ensuring increased supply to airports. • Installation of blending facilities where unblended SAF can be delivered, stored and blended with conventional jet fuel according to ASTM specifications. • Expansion of existing fuel facilities to support SAF delivery, storage and blending. • Support for regional SAF initiatives to bring together stakeholders and facilitate and lead the build-out of regional SAF supply chains. • Support for assessments of SAF supply chain, infrastructure and distribution needs of specific airports considering supply of SAF. • Measures to enhance the sustainability and reduce the carbon intensity of SAF production and/or supply chains. The program also has the potential to develop, demonstrate, or apply low-emission aviation technologies. Examples include, but are not limited to: • Designing, prototyping and testing of discrete low-emission aviation technologies • Enhancing aircraft and engine technology testing and demonstration capabilities to accelerate the development and demonstration of a broad range of low-emissions aviation technologies.

(1) A state or local government, including the District of Columbia, other than an airport sponsor (2) Air carrier (3) Airport sponsor (4) Accredited institution of higher education (5) Research institution (6) Person or entity engaged in the production, transportation, blending, or storage of sustainable aviation fuel in the United States that could be used to produce sustainable aviation fuel (7) Person or entity engaged in the development, demonstration, or application of low-emission aviation technologies or (8) Nonprofit entities or nonprofit consortia with experience in sustainable aviation fuels, low emission aviation technologies, or other clean transportation research programs.

To accelerate the development and demonstration of low-emission aviation technologies in support of U.S. aviation climate goals to reduce aviation carbon emissions.

In general, grants are awarded for a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 5 years. One round of solicitation and awards is planned for FAST-Tech grants. Multiple rounds of solicitation and awards are possible for FAST-SAF grants.

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, SEC. 40007 Alternative Fuel and Low-Emission Aviation Technology Program, specifies that the following considerations shall apply to project selection: "(1) the capacity for eligible entity to increase the domestic production and deployment of sustainable aviation fuel or the use of low-emission aviation technologies among the United States commercial aviation and aerospace industry; (2) the projected greenhouse gas emissions from such project, including emissions resulting from the development of the project, and the potential the project has to reduce or displace, on a lifecycle basis, United States greenhouse gas emissions associated with air travel; (3) the capacity to create new jobs and develop supply chain partnerships in the United States (4) for projects related to the production of sustainable aviation fuel, the projected lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions benefits from the proposed project, which shall include feedstock and fuel production and potential direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions (including resulting from changes in land use); and (5) the benefits of ensuring a diversity of feedstocks for sustainable aviation fuel, including the use of waste carbon oxides and direct air capture." Additional criteria may be applied, and National and Departmental policy considerations will be reflected in the selection decision, as appropriate. Final criteria will be published in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

The FAA will forward a list of potential grant recipients to the Office of Secretary of the Department of Transportation for final selection.