A $45 million grant renewal from the National Science Foundation grant has given FUEL (Future Use of Energy in Louisiana) another three years of research funding. The funding award, announced this week, builds on $15 million in prior allocations for FUEL’s work in use-inspired research and development, technology commercialization and workforce development.
“Over the past two years, FUEL and its many partners have built an emergent innovation ecosystem to protect and improve the global competitiveness of the nation’s energy and chemical manufacturing industry,” says FUEL Executive Director and CEO Michael Mazzola in a statement. “The continuation of FUEL by the NSF is the direct result of our success so far.”
Since its launch, FUEL has distributed more than $8.5 million to initiatives across its core focus areas, established 26 industry-academic-workforce partnerships and supported nearly 30 Louisiana-based energy startups, small businesses and research projects.
State officials say the program aligns with Louisiana’s broader strategy to position itself as a leading destination for energy production, industrial investment and workforce development, as outlined in the state’s Whole-of-Louisiana Energy Strategy.
Looking ahead, FUEL will continue working with more than 50 partners across education, government, community organizations and industry to expand collaboration, support workforce development and advance the commercialization of new energy technologies in Louisiana.
FUEL is the recipient of a historic NSF Engines grant that will provide up to $160 million to support Louisiana’s energy industry, create jobs and develop the energy workforce.
