The Federal Aviation Administration has announced $300m in funding to support net-zero aviation initiatives, including $245m in sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) infrastructure and $47m in low-emission aviation technology projects.

The new Fueling Aviation’s Sustainable Transition (FAST)-SAF grants will focus on producing, transporting and blending sustainable aviation fuel. FAST-Tech funds will accelerate aviation technology projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve aircraft fuel efficiency and increase the usage of sustainable aviation fuel.

“We have a need for speed in this race, and thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, we have more resources than ever before to accelerate this critical work,” said Laurence Wildgoose, FAA assistant administrator for policy, international affairs and environment. “We look forward to receiving applications that can help accelerate the use of high-integrity SAF and the development of powerful low-emission aviation technologies.”

Applications are now open for the funding, which comes from the Inflation Reduction Act that aims to reduce the USA’s carbon emissions and help aviation reach net-zero by 2050.

Eligible entities include airports, air carriers, universities, aviation and aerospace companies, state and local governments and nonprofit organizations. The FAA’s target for the first round of grant awards is mid-2024. Read the Notice of Funding Opportunity here.

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