Fueling Aviation’s Sustainable Transition via Sustainable Aviation Fuels (FAST-SAF) and Low-Emission Aviation Technologies (FAST-Tech) Grant Program | 23 FAA FAST 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for 23 FAA FAST 001

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), under the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), opened a discretionary grant opportunity called the Fueling Aviation's Sustainable Transition (FAST) Grant Program. This program was created by Section 40007 of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and is meant to accelerate aviation decarbonization by funding projects tied to two related tracks: sustainable aviation fuel (FAST-SAF) and low-emission aviation technologies (FAST-Tech). The overall intent is to move the aviation sector toward the emissions and climate goals laid out in the United States Aviation Climate Action Plan, which the FAA references as the guiding policy framework for what the grants are supposed to achieve.

FAST is structured as one program with two funding focus areas. FAST-SAF supports the sustainable aviation fuel side of the transition, while FAST-Tech supports the technology side (tools, systems, and equipment that reduce aviation emissions). In this particular Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the FAA indicates that approximately $244.53 million is available for FAST-SAF and about $46.53 million is available for FAST-Tech. Taken together, that places the total available funding at roughly $291.06 million across both components, with the vast majority directed to SAF-related efforts. Individual awards can be substantial, with an award ceiling listed at up to $50,000,000 per award, signaling that the program is designed to fund projects with meaningful scale and real-world impact rather than only small pilot efforts.

The grants are intended for projects that directly support the production, deployment, and broader ecosystem needed for sustainable aviation fuels, as well as projects that advance lower-emission aviation through technology. While the summary text does not list every eligible project type, it clearly frames eligibility around alignment with national aviation climate goals and around the two theme areas: SAF and low-emission aviation technologies. In practical terms, that typically means proposals should show how they will measurably contribute to emissions reductions in aviation, remove barriers to SAF adoption (such as supply chain, infrastructure, or deployment constraints), or advance the development, demonstration, or implementation of technologies that lower emissions from aircraft operations or supporting aviation systems.

Administratively, this is a grant (not a loan or contract) and is categorized as a discretionary funding opportunity. It is listed under Funding Opportunity Number 23 FAA FAST 001 and falls under the broad activity categories of Energy, Environment, and Transportation, with CFDA number 20.115. The issuing office is identified as FAA - Aviation Next Gen, which is consistent with the FAA's role in supporting modernization and forward-looking aviation initiatives. The opportunity lists the applicant type as "Others," which is a broad eligibility label in federal grant listings and generally means applicants should consult the full NOFO for the exact definitions of eligible entities, any partnership requirements, cost-share expectations (if any), and other conditions. The original application closing date shown is December 4, 2023, and the opportunity record date indicates it was created on September 25, 2023, which helps place the timing and versioning of the solicitation.

At a high level, the FAST Grant Program is designed to speed up aviation's shift to cleaner energy and operations by putting federal dollars behind projects that can help scale sustainable aviation fuel and advance low-emission technologies. Applicants are expected to ground their proposals in the FAA's climate and sustainability priorities, and to use the NOFO as the definitive source for detailed requirements, evaluation criteria, eligible cost categories, reporting obligations, and any additional constraints tied to Inflation Reduction Act funding.

• The FAA - Aviation Next Gen in the energy, environment, transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fueling Aviation’s Sustainable Transition via Sustainable Aviation Fuels (FAST-SAF) and Low-Emission Aviation Technologies (FAST-Tech) Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.115.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-09-25.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-12-04. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $50,000,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for 23 FAA FAST 001

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