FEDERAL ALTERNATIVE JET FUELS RESEARCH AND

DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

PRODUCT OF THE

Aeronautics Science and Technology Subcommittee

Committee on Technology

OF THE NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL

June 2016 

Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

iii

June 13, 2016

Dear Colleagues:

Commercial and military aviation are fundamental drivers of national prosperity, mobility, and security. Yet the 

aviation industry faces significant energy and environmental challenges due to dependence on petroleum jet fuels. 

Liquid “drop-in” jet fuels derived from nonpetroleum feedstock that can replace conventional petroleum-based 

jet fuel without the need to modify aircraft engines and the fuel distribution infrastructure can help address these 

challenges. Development of these drop-in alternative jet fuels (AJFs) and other fuel alternatives facilitates a 

diverse, secure, and reliable fuel supply, and their use enhances U.S. energy security, contributes to jet fuel’s price 

stability, reduces emissions that impact air quality and global climate, and generates rural economic development. 

Among transportation fuel users, aviation is uniquely positioned for industry-wide use of AJFs. Unlike cars, 

planes have no near-term alternatives to liquid fuels, and they benefit from a concentrated fueling infrastructure 

with a limited number of fueling stations (airports) and a limited number of large fuel buyers (airlines and 

military). Aviation benefits from an aligned industry and government approach to fuel development and approval. 

Further, at the 37th United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization Assembly, the industry and 

member nations, including the United States, agreed to achieve carbon neutral aviation growth beginning in 

2020, for which AJFs may prove to be crucial. 

Over the past decade, significant progress has been made by commercial and military aviation to develop, 

evaluate, and deploy AJFs that can cost-effectively meet the challenges described above. Since 2009 ASTM 

International has approved five different types of AJFs. The past year has witnessed more than a half dozen 

announcements in the United States of fuel purchase agreements between renewable fuel producers, airlines, and 

the military. But at present, AJFs that compete with petroleum fuel on price are not yet produced in volumes 

sufficient to meet the needs of the aviation industry. 

This Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy sets out prioritized Federal R&D goals 

and objectives to address key scientific and technical challenges that inhibit the development, production, and use 

of economically viable AJFs at commercial scale. It was developed with input from stakeholders under the 

auspices of the Aeronautics Science and Technology Subcommittee (ASTS) of the National Science and 

Technology Council by the Alternative Jet Fuel Interagency Working Group, which is made up of expert 

representatives from across the Federal Government. It aligns Federal agency research and development efforts 

to contribute to the successful mobilization of Federal and non-Federal stakeholder communities towards a 

common effort to realize the great promise presented by AJFs.
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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About the National Science and Technology Council

The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) is the principal means by which the Executive Branch 

coordinates science and technology policy across the diverse entities that make up the Federal research 

and development (R&D) enterprise. One of the NSTC’s primary objectives is establishing clear national 

goals for Federal science and technology investments. The NSTC prepares R&D packages aimed at 

accomplishing multiple national goals. The NSTC’s work is organized under five committees: Environment, 

Natural Resources, and Sustainability; Homeland and National Security; Science, Technology, Engineering, 

and Mathematics (STEM) Education; Science; and Technology. Each of these committees oversees 

subcommittees and working groups that are focused on different aspects of science and technology. More 

information is available at www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/nstc. 

About the Office of Science and Technology Policy

The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) was established by the National Science and 

Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976. OSTP’s responsibilities include advising the 

President in policy formulation and budget development on questions in which science and technology 

are important elements; articulating the President’s science and technology policy and programs; and 

fostering strong partnerships among Federal, state, and local governments, and the scientific 

communities in industry and academia. The Director of OSTP also serves as Assistant to the President for 

Science and Technology and manages the NSTC. More information is available at 

www.whitehouse.gov/ostp. 

About the Aeronautics Science and Technology Subcommittee

The Aeronautics Science and Technology Subcommittee (ASTS) of the NSTC Committee on Technology 

was established to advise and assist the Committee developing and advancing policies, strategies, and 

plans relating to federally sponsored aeronautics research and development to achieve broad national 

goals and support innovation. ASTS has functioned as a coordinating body to facilitate aeronautics R&D 

efforts across the Federal Government. The ASTS was instrumental in developing the National Aeronautics 

Research and Development Policy and the National Plan for Aeronautics Research and Development and 

Related Infrastructure. 

About the Alternative Jet Fuel Interagency Working Group

The ASTS established the Alternative Jet Fuel Interagency Working Group (AJF-IWG) to assess Federal 

efforts to enable “new aviation fuels derived from diverse and domestic resources to improve fuel supply 

and price stability,” a goal laid out in the 2010 National Aeronautics Research and Development Plan. 

Acknowledgements

The AJF-IWG appreciates the analytical contributions to this effort by the following current and former 

individuals of the IDA Science and Technology Policy Institute (STPI): Emily J. Sylak-Glassman, Bhavya Lal, 

and Lucas M. Pratt. In addition, John C. Everett, Linda S. Garlet, and Erika T. Tildon of STPI provided 

editorial and production assistance.

About this Document

This document was developed by the AJF-IWG, and published by OSTP.
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

v

Copyright Information

This document is a work of the United States Government and is in the public domain (see 17 U.S.C. §105). 

Subject to the stipulations below, it may be distributed and copied with acknowledgement to OSTP. 

Copyrights to graphics included in this document are reserved by the original copyright holders or their 

assignees and are used here under the government’s license and by permission. Requests to use any 

images must be made to the provider identified in the image credits or to OSTP if no provider is identified.

Printed in the United States of America, 2016.
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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Report prepared by

NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL

COMMITTEE ON TECHNOLOGY

AERONAUTICS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SUBCOMMITTEE 

ALTERNATIVE JET FUEL INTERAGENCY WORKING GROUP 

National Science and Technology Council

Chair

John P. Holdren

Assistant to the President for Science 

and Technology and Director,

Office of Science and Technology Policy

Staff

Afua Bruce

Executive Director

Committee on Technology

Chair

Thomas Kalil

Deputy Director, Technology and Innovation

Office of Science and Technology Policy

Staff

Randy Paris

Executive Secretary

Office of Science and Technology Policy

Aeronautics Science and Technology Subcommittee

Chairs

Jaiwon Shin

Associate Administrator

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Spiro G. Lekoudis

Director, Weapon Systems, Defense Research 

and Engineering

Office of the Secretary of Defense

Shelly Yak

Director, William J. Hughes Technical Center

Federal Aviation Administration

Staff

Neal Nijhawan

Executive Secretary

NASA

Member Organizations 

Department of Commerce

International Trade Commission

Department of Defense

Department of the Army

Department of the Navy

Department of Transportation

Federal Aviation Administration

Volpe Center

Department of State

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

National Security Council

Office of Management and Budget

Office of Science and Technology Policy

Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

U.S. International Trade Commission
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

vii

Alternative Jet Fuel Interagency Working Group

Chairs

Barbara Esker

Deputy Director

Advanced Air Vehicles Program

NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate

Mohan Gupta

Assistant Chief Scientist

Office of Environment and Energy

Federal Aviation Administration

Members

Harry Baumes United States Department of Agriculture—Office of Energy Policy and New Uses

Dan Birns United States Department of State, Bureau of Energy Resources—Office of 

Alternative and Renewable Energy 

Nathan Brown Federal Aviation Administration—Office of Environment and Energy

James (Tim) Edwards Air Force Research Laboratory—Aerospace Systems Directorate/Turbine Engine 

Division

Daniel Friend National Institute of Standards and Technology, Material Measurement 

Laboratory—Applied Chemicals and Materials Division

William Goldner United States Department of Agriculture—National Institute of Food and 

Agriculture—Institute of Bioenergy, Climate, and Environment

Zia Haq United States Department of Energy—Bioenergy Technologies Office

Aaron Levy United States Environmental Protection Agency—Office of Transportation and Air 

Quality

Gregory Rorrer National Science Foundation—Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, 

Environmental, and Transport Systems

Bret Strogen United States Department of Defense—Office of the Under Secretary of Defense 

for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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Table of Contents

Executive Summary...................................................................................................................................1

Background ...............................................................................................................................................1

Purpose and Scope....................................................................................................................................1

R&D Goals and Objectives ........................................................................................................................1

Other Considerations................................................................................................................................2

Non-Technical Challenges.....................................................................................................................2

Federal Coordination ............................................................................................................................3

Public-Private Partnerships...................................................................................................................3

International Coordination ...................................................................................................................3

Closing.......................................................................................................................................................3

Introduction ..............................................................................................................................................4

Purpose and Scope....................................................................................................................................5

AJF Development Path..............................................................................................................................5

R&D Goals and Objectives ........................................................................................................................6

Feedstock Development, Production, and Logistics.............................................................................7

Fuel Conversion and Scale-Up ..............................................................................................................8

Fuel Testing and Evaluation ..................................................................................................................9

Integrated Challenges.........................................................................................................................10

Non-Technical Challenges.......................................................................................................................11

Federal Coordination ..............................................................................................................................11

Public-Private Partnerships.....................................................................................................................11

International Coordination .....................................................................................................................12

Conclusions.............................................................................................................................................12

Appendix 1. Agency-Specific Contributions to Research and Development (R&D) of 

Alternative Jet Fuels (AJFs) .........................................................................................................................13

Department of Commerce (DOC) ...........................................................................................................13

Department of Defense (DOD) ...............................................................................................................14

Department of Energy (DOE)..................................................................................................................14

Department of Transportation (DOT).....................................................................................................15

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ................................................................................................15

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)........................................................................16
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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National Science Foundation (NSF).........................................................................................................16

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) ..................................................................................16

Appendix 2. Multi-Agency Activities that Contribute to Research and Development (R&D) of 

Alternative Jet Fuels (AJFs) .........................................................................................................................18

Appendix 3. Federal Alternative Jet Fuel (AJF) Research and Development (R&D) Goals 

and Objectives ............................................................................................................................................20

R&D Goals and Objectives for Feedstock Development, Production, and Logistics ..............................21

R&D Goals and Objectives for Fuel Conversion and Scale-Up................................................................24

R&D Goals and Objectives for Fuel Testing and Evaluation ...................................................................25

R&D Goals and Objectives for Integrated Challenges ............................................................................27

References ..................................................................................................................................................29

Abbreviations..............................................................................................................................................31

Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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Executive Summary

Background

The U.S. civil and military aviation community has historically relied upon energy-dense liquid jet fuel that 

is derived from petroleum, which is subject to volatile pricing and uncertain supply and harmful to the 

environment. More recently developed jet fuel alternatives derived from nonpetroleum feedstock can 

help address those issues and other U.S. energy-related challenges, making development of alternative 

energy fuels (AJFs) of increased interest in the realm of aviation. Effective Federal research and 

development can enable AJF development by reducing the costs of producing fuel, facilitating effective 

evaluation and approval of promising fuel pathways, ensuring that environmental and social benefits 

accrue from the use of these fuels, reducing technical uncertainty, and promoting private sector 

investment in production.

To ensure that the United States is most effectively working toward the high-priority research and 

development (R&D) goals laid out in the 2010 National Aeronautics Research and Development Plan, the 

Aeronautics Science and Technology Subcommittee, under the Committee on Technology of the National 

Science and Technology Council, established an Alternative Jet Fuel Interagency Working Group (AJFIWG). The Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy is the product of the AJFIWG’s work to assess current Federal efforts to address scientific and technical challenges and provide 

future direction.

Purpose and Scope

The Strategy sets out prioritized Federal R&D goals and objectives to address key scientific and technical 

challenges that inhibit development, production, and use of economically viable AJFs that would provide 

energy security and environmental and social benefits relative to conventional fuels, while reducing

duplication of effort, enhancing efficiency, and encouraging a coordinated R&D approach among Federal 

and non-Federal stakeholders. The Strategy complements department and agency R&D policy directives 

and should guide decisions about R&D program budgets and priorities. 

R&D Goals and Objectives

Federal R&D goals are stated below, categorized by their relationship to general components in the path 

of AJF development. 

• Feedstock Development, Production, and Logistics: R&D goals and objectives in this category 

represent what individual regional supply chains could do to optimize their systems to reduce 

cost, reduce technology uncertainty and risk, increase yield, and optimize AJF precursors.

o Increase crop yields (tons/acre), water and nutrient use efficiency, as well as pest and 

disease resistance, and improve feedstock conversion characteristics

o Develop sustainable feedstock production systems that require minimal inputs, have a high 

tolerance for environmental stress, and minimize the risk of adverse environmental impacts 

(e.g., invasiveness, erosion)

o Improve harvesting, collection, storage, densification, pretreatment, and transportation of 

physical biomass to the conversion facility

o Improve collection, storage, densification, pretreatment, and transportation of municipal 

solid waste to the conversion facility
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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• Fuel Conversion and Scale-Up: Fuel conversion and scale-up R&D efforts focus on reducing the 

cost of production for biochemical, thermochemical, and hybrid conversion processes while 

increasing the conversion efficiency and volume of fuels produced.

o Enable discovery, development, enhancement, and scale-up of conversion processes with 

improved yield, efficiency, and energy requirements that lead to cost-competitive AJF

o Develop conversion technologies that can produce jet fuel from multiple feedstocks in a 

distributed manner

• Fuel Testing and Evaluation: Federal R&D efforts in fuel testing and evaluation focus on 

facilitating the approval of additional AJF pathways by enabling the efficient evaluation of fuelengine performance and safety through advancement of certification and qualification 

processes and collection and analysis of data, including those for combustion emissions.

o Facilitate civil and military approval of additional AJF pathways by enabling efficient 

evaluation for performance and safety through advancement of certification and 

qualification processes and collection and analysis of data

o Improve scientific understanding of how AJF composition impacts gas turbine combustion 

emissions and operability

• Integrated Challenges: Several key scientific and technical challenges require R&D efforts that 

either bisect the above components of the AJF development path (i.e., R&D related to feedstock 

and fuel) or take place outside that path (e.g., during production, deployment, and use).

Research in this area requires an interdisciplinary, multi-disciplinary, and multi-faceted 

approach.

o Advance understanding of and improve environmental sustainability of AJF production and 

use

o Develop and validate a comprehensive systems model to support viable AJF deployment

o Promote communication as well as scientific and technical R&D best practices for the 

national enterprise

Other Considerations

If the Strategy R&D goals and objectives are to be accomplished in the time horizon expected, less than 5 

years (near term) to more than 10 years (far term), they must be approached with important other 

considerations in mind.

Non-Technical Challenges

In addition to the scientific and technical challenges associated with AJF development, production, and 

use, other non-technical challenges are associated with the commercial-scale deployment of AJFs. The 

benefits of scientific and technical advances can be limited by these challenges, which include volatility in 

the price of conventional fuels; inadequacies of the production infrastructure; barriers posed by 

legislation, regulations, and policy; complications of financing structures; uncertainty of investments; and 

constraints in labor forces and skills. Socio-economic analyses have an important role to play in alleviating 

such non-technical barriers in this emerging industry, and maximizing the benefit of R&D advances.
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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Federal Coordination 

The AJF-IWG will continue to serve as a focal point for Federal interagency coordination and will work in 

conjunction with existing formal and informal interagency coordination mechanisms and public-private 

initiatives to augment coordination efforts. 

Public-Private Partnerships

Cooperation between the Federal government and the private sector, including industry, nongovernmental organizations, and academia, is crucial to addressing key scientific and technical challenges. 

Federal agencies should continue to collaborate with non-Federal stakeholders on R&D activities through 

such mechanisms asstakeholder coalitions, public-private sector initiatives, cost-sharing agreements, and 

development and demonstration programs. Broad stakeholder engagement is critical to the free flow of 

information and the development of best practices.

International Coordination

Federal agencies should continue to facilitate international coordination in three primary areas: scientific 

and technical R&D conducted under multi-lateral and bilateral agreements to mutually share risks, 

minimize duplication of effort, and benefit from best practices; harmonization efforts to define 

sustainability criteria to ensure that biofuels achieve desired greenhouse gas reduction goals and do not 

negatively affect food security and biodiversity; and policy and market-development efforts to ensure a 

global market for AJFs.

The U.S. Government and industry should continue to cooperate in AJF initiatives that are emerging in 

diverse countries and participate in AJF activities of the United Nations International Civil Aviation 

Organization’s Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection.

Closing 

Continued progress requires focused investments and coordination among Federal departments and

agencies, academia, industry, and international partners toward the R&D goals and objectives set out in 

this Strategy.
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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Introduction

Maintaining our leadership in research and development is critical to winning the future 

and deploying innovative technologies that will create quality jobs and move toward a 

clean energy economy that reduces our reliance on oil. 

–Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future, White House, Executive Office of the President 

(March 30, 2011)

The U.S. civil aviation community and the U.S. military, which are central to the economic well-being and 

security of the Nation, have demonstrated significant interest in the development and use of alternative 

jet fuels (AJFs) over the past decade. Jet aviation has historically relied upon energy-dense and relatively 

inexpensive liquid jet fuels derived from petroleum. As a result of this reliance, U.S. civil aviation and the 

military face challenges such as price volatility, deleterious environmental impacts, and supply 

uncertainty. Drop-in1 AJFs can help address these challenges. The use of these fuels can enhance energy 

security; expand domestic energy sources; facilitate a diverse, secure, and reliable fuel supply; contribute 

to price stability; reduce emissions that affect air quality and global climate; generate economic and rural 

development; and promote social welfare. 

An effective Federal research and development (R&D) effort can play an important role in facilitating the 

development of AJFs. R&D can reduce the costs of producing fuel, facilitate more effective evaluation and 

approval of promising fuel pathways, ensure that environmental and social benefits accrue from the use 

of these fuels, and reduce technical uncertainty to a level that will promote significant private sector 

investment in production capacity. 

The development and deployment of alternative fuels (including AJFs), the advancement of biofuels for 

military and civil transportation, and the promotion of American leadership in renewable energy are 

national policy priorities.2 The 2016 Federal Activities Report on the Bioeconomy3 notes the importance 

of AJFs as a component of strengthening the U.S. bioeconomy. The 2010 National Aeronautics Research 

and Development Plan4 further directs Federal efforts in this area. This plan lays out high-priority 

aeronautics R&D goals, including the goal to “enable new aviation fuels derived from diverse and domestic 

resources to improve fuel supply and price stability.”5 In working toward these goals, Federal departments 

 

1 “Drop-in” AJFs are liquid jet fuels that are derived from nonpetroleum feedstock but can replace conventional petroleumbased jet fuel without the need to modify aircraft engines and the fuel distribution infrastructure. In other words, these fuels 

can be “dropped-in” to the existing system and provide the same level of safety and performance as petroleum jet fuels.

2 White House, Blueprint for a Secure Energy Future (Washington, DC: Executive Office of the President, March 2011), 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/blueprint_secure_energy_future.pdf; White House, National Bioeconomy 

Blueprint (Washington, DC: Executive Office of the President, April 2012) 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/national_bioeconomy_blueprint_april_2012.pdf; White 

House, The President’s Climate Action Plan (Washington, DC: Executive Office of the President, June 2013), 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/image/president27sclimateactionplan.pdf. 

3 Biomass Research and Development Board (BR&DS), Federal Activities Report on the Bioeconomy, briefing (Washington, DC: 

Department of Energy, Bioenergy Technologies Office, March 8, 2016), 

http://biomassboard.gov/pdfs/tac_2016_q1_baumes.pdf. 

4 National Science and Technology Council, National Aeronautics Research and Development Plan (Washington, DC: Executive 

Office of the President, February 2010), https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/aero-rdplan2010.pdf.

5 Ibid. 39.
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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and agencies conduct research, develop technologies, build and operate testing infrastructure, and 

collaborate with non-Federal stakeholders to advance AJF development and its commercial production.

To ensure that the United States is most effectively working toward these goals, the Aeronautics Science 

and Technology Subcommittee, under the Committee on Technology of the National Science and 

Technology Council, established an Alternative Jet Fuel Interagency Working Group (AJF-IWG) to assess 

current Federal efforts, including collaboration with non-Federal stakeholders, and to develop a way 

forward to address scientific and technical challenges. This Strategy is the product of the AJF-IWG’s work.

Purpose and Scope

This report sets out prioritized Federal R&D goals and objectives to address key scientific and technical 

challenges that inhibit the development, production, and use of economically viable AJFs that would 

provide environmental and social benefits relative to conventional fuels while enhancing U.S. energy 

security.

The goals and objectives presented in this Strategy focus Federal R&D efforts to address key scientific and 

technical challenges while reducing duplication of effort, enhancing efficiency, and encouraging a 

coordinated R&D approach among Federal and non-Federal stakeholders. This Strategy complements 

existing department and agency R&D policy directives and should inform Federal R&D program decisions, 

including budgeting and prioritization.

AJF Development Path

The Development Path shown in Figure 1 represents the process by which an AJF is researched, 

developed, scaled up, tested, evaluated, and commercialized on a national level. The path begins with an 

originating raw material or feedstock followed by a conversion process scaled up for production and ends 

with the fuel product delivered to and consumed by a user. This linear structure echoes the Fuel Readiness 

Level (FRL) and the Feedstock Readiness Level (FSRL) tools developed by the Commercial Aviation 

Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI®) to communicate technical development and progress from laboratory 

to commercial use.6 Although the Development Path shares some similarities with the concept of the 

alternative fuel “supply chain,” it is different in its emphasis on R&D sectors (e.g., fuel testing) that are 

not part of the traditional fuel supply chain.

Feedstock 

Development 

& Production

Feedstock 

Logistics

Fuel 

Conversion

Fuel 

Conversion 

Scale-Up

Fuel Testing 

& Evaluation

Production & 

Deployment End User

Figure 1. Generalized AJF Development Path

In a supply chain concept, the focus is on an operational production system of an established and approved fuel.7

In the Development Path for this Strategy, the focus is on technology R&D that will enable AJF approval, 

production, and commercialization, which would then enable the creation of supply chains. 

 6 For further information, see CAAFI, “Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative: Fuel Readiness Tools” (2016), 

http://www.caafi.org/information/fuelreadinesstools.html.

7 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines “supply chain” as feedstock crop development, production, and logistics 

(harvest, densification/diminution, storage, pretreatment, and transportation to biorefinery conversion platform), 

conversion, marketing and distribution, and end use.
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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The components of the Development Path are described as follows:

• Feedstock Development and Production: Identification, assessment, and improvement of 

potential AJF raw materials (feedstocks) including bio-feedstock and fossil-fuel feedstock.

• Feedstock Logistics: Development of efficient means of collecting, harvesting, and moving 

feedstock; preprocessing feedstock; and other activities necessary to prepare feedstock before 

conversion to fuel.

• Fuel Conversion: Development and improvement of a feedstock-to-fuel conversion process.

• Fuel Conversion Scale-Up: Advancement of a fuel conversion process to a higher volume of 

production beyond laboratory and pilot-scale levels to support commercialization.

• Fuel Testing and Evaluation: Fuel testing and evaluation is usually iterative, requiring increasing 

volumes, and may occur concurrently with fuel conversion development and scale-up.

o Fuel Performance Testing and Evaluation: Determination of fuel characteristics and engine 

system performance when using the AJF, including testing whether the fuel meets 

qualification and certification requirements.

o Emissions Characterization Testing: Analysis to understand fuel-use impacts on air quality 

and global climate.

• Production and Deployment: Initial commercial-scale availability of fuels for end-use purposes.

• End User: Purchase and use of the AJF by aviation fuel users such as commercial airlines and the 

U.S. Government.

While the Development Path is a useful linear model, it does not completely capture the complexity of 

the AJF R&D enterprise. In practice, each component of the Development Path is connected to and 

influences the other components. For example, feedstock R&D is influenced, in part, by the state of 

science and the technologies for moving and converting feedstock to fuel and other products. The state 

of science and technologies in feedstock conversion, in turn, affect the quality and quantity of feedstock 

available for fuels conversion and the R&D to scale-up for commercial production. In addition, complex 

issues such as environmental sustainability and techno-economic considerations of AJF production and 

use encompass the entire Development Path as an integrated system. To ensure that the collective R&D 

enterprise is effective and efficient, AJF R&D efforts must be informed by an awareness of this complexity 

and the interrelated nature of the links in the Development Path.

R&D Goals and Objectives 

The AJF Development Path shown in Figure 1 describes the key areas in which these R&D goals and 

objectives can positively impact and accelerate AJF development. Efforts to develop and deploy AJFs have 

evolved significantly over the last decade, particularly through federally funded activities, regional group 

efforts, and international forums. The R&D goals and objectives of this Strategy leverage these prior 

efforts, building on the progress made in advancing the state of knowledge and insights on scientific and 

technical challenges.

R&D goals and objectives for this Strategy are categorized into the following areas, as depicted in Figure 2:

• Feedstock Development, Production, and Logistics

• Fuel Conversion and Scale-Up
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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• Fuel Testing and Evaluation

• Integrated Challenges

R&D Goals and Objectives for 

Feedstock Development, 

Production, and Logistics

R&D Goals and Objectives for 

Fuel Conversion and Scale-Up

R&D Goals and 

Objectives for 

Fuel Testing and 

Evaluation

R&D Goals and Objectives for 

Integrated Challenges

Feedstock 

Development 

& Production

Feedstock 

Logistics

Fuel 

Conversion

Fuel 

Conversion 

Scale-Up

Fuel Testing 

& Evaluation

Production & 

Deployment End User

Figure 2. Overview of R&D Goals and Objectives Alignment to the Generalized AJF Development Path

Each set of goals and objectives is intended to guide R&D efforts in addressing key scientific and technical 

challenges. Based on the availability of resources and annual appropriations, these R&D goals and 

objectives are projected to be completed over near-term (<5 years), mid-term (5–10 years), and far-term 

(>10 years) time horizons. Appendix 3 contains a table of these R&D goals and objectives and includes an 

identification of departments and agencies with an R&D mission that aligns with a particular goal or 

objective.

Feedstock Development, Production, and Logistics

Goal 1: Increase crop yields (tons/acre), water and nutrient use efficiency, as well as pest and disease 

resistance, and improve feedstock conversion characteristics

Goal 2: Develop sustainable feedstock production systems that require minimal inputs, have a high 

tolerance for environmental stress, and minimize the risk of adverse environmental impacts (e.g., 

invasiveness, erosion)

Goal 3: Improve harvesting, collection, storage, densification, pretreatment, and transportation of 

physical biomass to the conversion facility

Goal 4: Improve collection, storage, densification, pretreatment, and transportation of municipal solid 

waste to the conversion facility

R&D goals and objectives in this category represent what individual regional supply chains could do to 

optimize their systems to reduce cost, reduce technology uncertainty and risk, increase yield, and 

optimize AJF precursors. The objectives include a two-tier approach, facilitating both discrete R&D within 

the feedstock supply chain component and integrated R&D between the feedstock and conversion 

components. Consequently, by working back from targets and factoring unique resources and capacities, 

these goals and objectives provide an integrated R&D approach across regional feedstock supply chains 

linked to one or more commercial product conversion systems. The optimization of individual regional 

supply chain systems will depend, in part, on the region, feedstock, and conversion process. All types of 

feedstock are included in this Strategy, provided that the feedstock has the potential to be converted to 

drop-in AJF while having environmental and societal advantages over petroleum-based jet fuel. For MSW, 
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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the primary challenges are associated with logistics (materials handling) and not with feedstock supply 

per se.

Setting up a feedstock supply system requires integration and iteration. The near-, mid-, and long-term 

goals outline this approach. The genetic improvement of feedstocks, whether agronomic or woody, 

requires an integrated understanding of the entire feedstock system to identify genetic improvement 

targets. As feedstocks are developed, they need to be evaluated and selected genotypes moved forward 

to be optimized in production, logistics, and conversion systems. Feedback loops from feedstock 

evaluation with the downstream systems inform not only the genetic targets for the next generation of 

feedstock genotypes (iterative), but also modifications/optimizations of the feedstock production and 

logistic systems (integrative). Conversion platforms can also be modified to optimize AJF yield from 

specific feedstocks. This modification may be important, for example, when feedstock characteristics such 

as inorganic ash content reduce the efficiency of catalysts or when feedstock organic compounds interfere 

with enzymatic activity in bio-catalytic conversion platforms. As new system components are developed 

and tested, technology transfer specialists will require additional training alongside new specialists, 

engineers, foresters, and agronomists.

AJF production in sufficient quantities and at a competitive price is the general goal, with impetus coming 

from the commercial aviation industry and the military. A regional focus may help identify specific 

production opportunities and define cost competitiveness. Planning for regional AJF systems must 

integrate feedstock supply system elements with AJF production and end-use by identifying the following:

• Fuel use locations (e.g., Atlanta/Hartsfield International Airport, military air stations in Hawaii);

• Region(s) likely to benefit most from producing or consuming AJFs (due to the economic, social, 

and environmental characteristics of AJF);

• Regionally appropriate feedstocks (e.g., southern pines, hybrid poplar, energy cane, perennial 

grasses, MSW, forest/mill residuals, oil crops, and waste greases);

• Extant/emerging conversion platforms that could use these types of feedstock;

• Industry/community interest in siting a biorefinery in the region; and

• Alternative uses/products potentially supported by the feedstock supply chain (i.e., potential for 

synergistic economics/competition).

Individual aspects of the supply chain may be addressed to derive incremental improvement. However, 

because feedstock/conversion supplies systems require feedback loops, designing and implementing 

integrated approaches may be the quickest way to stand up a new AJF industry.

Fuel Conversion and Scale-Up

Goal 1: Enable discovery, development, enhancement, and scale-up of conversion processes with 

improved yield, efficiency, and energy requirements that lead to cost-competitive AJF

Goal 2: Develop conversion technologies that can produce jet fuel from multiple feedstocks in a 

distributed manner

Fuel conversion and scale-up R&D efforts focus on reducing the cost of production for biochemical, 

thermochemical, and hybrid conversion processes while increasing the conversion efficiency and volume 

of fuels produced. Additional challenges are associated with the scale-up of conversion technologies from 

the laboratory to commercial scales. The specific issues that need development include process 

integration, the challenge and complexity of demonstration and pioneer plants coming on line to produce 
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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volumes of fuels to enable jet fuel testing, and the production of jet fuel from these facilities at costcompetitive levels.

Technologies are being developed at various scales (pilot, demonstration, and pre-commercial) to convert 

biomass feedstocks into jet fuel, other fuels, and chemicals. Conversion technologies that are relatively 

mature include (1) hydro-treatment and upgrading of waste oils or plant-based oils to jet fuel and (2) 

gasification of biomass or MSW into a synthesis gas followed by Fischer-Tropsch conversion of the 

synthesis gas into jet fuel. However, R&D is needed even in these relatively mature technologies. For 

example, the price of fuels from hydro-treatment of oils is dominated by the cost of the feedstock, which 

can account for 75 to 80% of the cost of the finished fuel. The availability of waste-based oil feedstocks is 

limited and imposes an upper bound on potential production volumes. R&D could focus on new 

feedstocks that can be available at low costs to make the finished fuel cost competitive. The 

gasification/Fischer-Tropsch technologies have high capital costs and require large facilities to achieve 

economies of scale. R&D could enable modular, small-scale reactors that can convert bio-derived 

synthesis gas into jet fuel. One promising pathway being explored is producing a bio-crude from biomass 

or non-fossil feedstocks and co-processing the bio-crude and fossil-based crude oil in existing refineries. 

The refinery would continue to produce a mix of products, including jet fuel, diesel, gasoline, and 

petrochemicals.

Conversion technologies in the mid-term time horizon include alcohol-to-jet (ATJ), additional 

biochemical/catalytic conversion of sugars to hydrocarbons, and pyrolysis. In the ATJ process, ethanol 

from existing biorefineries can be catalytically converted into jet fuel. The advantage of this approach is 

that it can leverage existing biorefinery infrastructure, such as wet or dry corn mills, and emerging 

cellulosic biorefineries. One area of active R&D is the co-production of high-value bio-based chemicals, 

fertilizers, and soil supplements as a means of reducing the cost of jet fuels. For biochemical processes, 

specific areas of R&D include new and improved enzymes, microorganisms, and processes that can 

combine pre-treatment and conversion steps in one reactor. For thermochemical processes, specific areas 

of R&D include development of durable catalysts that are easy to regenerate, hot gas clean-up 

technologies, and reliable feeding of biomass into pressurized, high-temperature gasifiers. A near-term 

opportunity could be the production of bio-crude that is suitable for integration into an existing petroleum 

refinery.

Conversion technologies in the long-term time horizon include conversion of waste carbon dioxide (CO2) 

into ethanol followed by ATJ conversion, processes involving algal and other microbial feedstocks, and 

algae or other microbes capable of producing hydrocarbons. R&D challenges that need to be addressed 

include new strains and culture-management approaches; high-productivity cultivation systems that 

maximize yields while minimizing water, land, and nutrients; and low-cost, high-throughput drying and 

harvesting technologies that can be easily integrated with cultivation systems.

Fuel Testing and Evaluation

Goal 1: Facilitate civil and military approval of additional AJF pathways by enabling efficient evaluation for 

performance and safety through advancement of certification and qualification processes and collection 

and analysis of data

Goal 2: Improve scientific understanding of how AJF composition impacts gas turbine combustion 

emissions and operability

Testing and evaluation must be completed successfully for a fuel to be approved for use by commercial 

aviation and the military. Federal R&D efforts in fuel testing and evaluation focus on facilitating the 

approval of additional AJF pathways by enabling the efficient evaluation of fuel-engine performance and 
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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safety through advancement of certification and qualification processes and collection and analysis of 

data, including those for combustion emissions. Goals to achieve this purpose reflect an R&D approach 

focused on reducing the cost, time, and uncertainty of the fuel testing and evaluation process to enable 

efficient and timely certification, qualification, and acceptance of candidate AJFs.

A streamlined fuels testing and evaluation process through the development of generic rig combustion 

and numerical modeling capability is urgently needed. This generic fuels testing and evaluation 

methodology would produce engine operability and performance data comparable to data from actual 

testing of several engines from different manufacturers. It will help reduce the resource requirement 

significantly and will allow more efficient and faster certification and qualification in the future. It will also 

promote opportunities for exploration of additional fuel candidates for commercial use.

Research on the effects of fuel composition on combustion emissions from gas turbines through 

measurements—at ground and at cruise altitude—must be continued to examine the potential emissions 

benefits that new fuel candidates may provide. Emissions measurements are resource intensive;

therefore, model-based predictive capability of combustion emissions must be developed and validated 

against the measurement data.

Integrated Challenges

Goal 1: Advance understanding of and improve environmental sustainability of AJF production and use

Goal 2: Develop and validate a comprehensive systems model to support viable AJF deployment

Goal 3: Promote communication as well as scientific and technical R&D best practices for the national 

enterprise

Integrated challenges are key scientific and technical challenges that require R&D efforts across multiple 

sectors of the Development Path or are outside the scope of the linear Development Path model. The 

research in this area requires an interdisciplinary, multi-disciplinary, and multi-faceted approach.

Environmental sustainability is a commonly accepted societal good but remains difficult to measure, 

model, and predict even if subcomponents can be quantified (e.g., health impacts of sulfur oxides (SOx), 

nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter). The environmental performance of a product or service is 

perhaps more quantifiable and less dependent on societal dynamics, but, in this document, we use the 

terms “environmental sustainability” and “environmental performance” interchangeably. The overall 

environmental impacts of AJFs can only be understood by developing methods and measurements that 

can be applied consistently across the entire enterprise. An identified challenge is the need for an 

integrated analysis of environmental sustainability as applied to AJFs.

Adverse environmental impacts tend to be highest in the areas of feedstock production, fuel production, 

and end use. Establishing and validating protocols that can be used for measuring environmental impacts 

in a common and consistent manner throughout the supply chain is an important goal. The scientific bases 

for the measurement of each indicator of environmental sustainability must be technically sound. Key 

outcomes of this research would be the development of common definitions, protocols, and uncertainty 

methodologies for assessing and reporting each aspect of environmental sustainability.

A systems model of the full AJF life cycle considers feedback and interactions, moving beyond the 

simplified linear representation. Some techno-economic and regional models have been developed, but 

a full systems model for the AJF life cycle considers integrated environmental, economic, and social 

aspects. For example, a useful systems model must estimate the effects of the AJF industry on rural job 

creation and the price and supply of national and global food commodities in the scenarios that can be 

envisaged. Building a comprehensive systems model requires the identification and quantification of 
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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elements and interactions, the development of analytical tools, and the implementation of a unified 

framework from its constituent elements. Techno-economic models can be used to project whether 

certain feedstocks and conversion pathways appear to be commercially viable and can guide future R&D 

investments to lower fuel production cost.

A successful model will contribute toward plug-and-play engineering applications, with validated analyses 

supporting decision making among options related to cost and sustainability as related to region, pathway, 

logistics, feedstock, and so forth.

Although a number of resources exist for information on AJFs, there is no centralized repository or portal. 

To better link researchers and other stakeholders involved in AJF development and to better disseminate 

best practices, a publically accessible repository of information would be beneficial and consistent with 

the Federal government’s policy of increasing access to the results of federally funded scientific research.

Non-Technical Challenges

The commercial-scale deployment of AJFs also faces challenges that are not specifically scientific or 

technical in nature. The evolving demand for conventional and alternative fuels is influenced, in part, by 

price volatility of conventional jet fuel; production infrastructure barriers; legislative, regulatory, and 

policy barriers; complicated financing structures; investment uncertainty; and labor force and skill 

constraints. It is important to recognize that the benefits of scientific and technical R&D advances could 

be limited by such non-technical challenges. By recognizing the broader context for this emerging industry 

and the roles of non-technical research (e.g., socio-economic analyses), the impact of the scientific and 

technical R&D can be maximized. The developing industry may benefit if additional progress is made in 

understanding the relationship between feedstock and fuel prices and price volatility; projecting future 

production and demand for conventional and AJFs; evaluating the effectiveness and political economy of 

policy options; identifying legislative, regulatory, public perception, and infrastructure barriers; optimizing 

financing structures to mitigate investment and other economic uncertainty; and managing labor force 

and skill constraints. Complementarily, scientific and technical R&D can inform policy decisions and can 

help reduce technical risks and potentially mitigate economic and financial risks.

Federal Coordination 

To enable continued coordination of Federal AJF R&D efforts, the AJF-IWG will continue to be chartered 

under the auspices of the National Science and Technology Council’s Aeronautics Science and Technology 

Subcommittee. This body will continue to include representatives from appropriate Federal agencies and 

will serve as a focal point for Federal interagency coordination and will work in conjunction with existing 

formal and informal interagency coordination mechanisms and public-private initiatives to augment those 

efforts. The AJF-IWG will ensure that duplication is avoided since it will have a lead role in the 

implementation of this Strategy, including informing program, budgeting, and prioritization decisions; 

coordinating activities; identifying outcomes (e.g., joint competitive solicitations, joint review of 

proposals); performing progress assessment; engaging stakeholders; and making recommendations to 

agencies toward meeting evolving R&D needs. 

Public-Private Partnerships

Cooperation between the Federal government and the private sector, including industry, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and academia, is crucial to addressing key scientific and technical 

challenges. Federal agencies have collaborated with and should continue to collaborate with non-Federal 

stakeholders on R&D activities through a variety of mechanisms, including stakeholder coalitions, publicprivate sector initiatives, cost-sharing agreements, and development and demonstration programs. Broad 
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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stakeholder engagement, such as that represented by CAAFI® and “Farm to Fly 2.0,”8 are critical to 

enabling coordinated efforts of the private and public sectors to develop AJFs. These mechanisms provide 

a means of the free flow of information and the development of best practices, and they provide critical 

forum for establishing common direction in R&D efforts.

International Coordination

Aviation is a global industry by nature and, as such, technology and support infrastructure (e.g., aviation 

fuels) must transcend national boundaries to provide a seamless transportation system. Therefore, 

Federal agencies have facilitated and should continue to facilitate international coordination in three 

primary areas: scientific and technical R&D conducted under multi-lateral and bilateral agreements to 

mutually share risks, minimize duplication of effort, and benefit from best practices; harmonization efforts 

to define sustainability criteria to ensure that biofuels achieve desired greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction 

goals and do not negatively affect food security and biodiversity; and policy and market-development 

efforts to ensure a global market for AJFs.

AJF initiatives have emerged in countries as diverse as Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, Germany, 

Iceland, Indonesia, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates, among 

others. The U.S. Government and industry have established cooperation and coordination with many of 

these efforts to leverage common science and technology interests and investments and mutually 

advance technical knowledge. U.S. agencies also actively participate on AJF activities of the United Nations 

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP). 

Additional cooperation and coordination takes place between U.S. public/private initiatives, such as 

CAAFI®, and efforts of the Australian Initiative for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (AISAF), the Brazilian Biofuels 

Platform (BBP), the Aviation Initiative for Renewable Energy in Germany (Aireg), Indonesia’s Aviation 

Biofuels and Renewable Energy Task Force, and Spain’s Bioquereseno initiative.

Conclusions

AJFs can help enhance energy security; expand domestic energy sources; facilitate a diverse, secure, and 

reliable fuel supply; contribute to price and supply stability; reduce emissions that affect air quality and 

global climate; generate economic and rural development; and promote social welfare. Federal R&D plays 

an important role in facilitating the development of AJFs. This Strategy focuses Federal R&D efforts to 

address key scientific and technical challenges while reducing duplication of effort, enhancing efficiency, 

and encouraging a coordinated R&D approach among Federal and non-Federal stakeholders. Continued 

progress requires focused investments and coordination among Federal departments and agencies, 

academia, industry, and international partners toward the R&D goals and objectives set out in this 

Strategy.

 8 See Appendix 2 for information on CAAFI and Farm to Fly 2.0.
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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Appendix 1.

Agency-Specific Contributions to Research and Development (R&D) of 

Alternative Jet Fuels (AJFs)

Figure A-1 identifies Federal agencies that have an R&D mission that aligns with a particular area of the 

AJF Development Path. When multiple agencies are indicated in the same area, it means that the agencies 

are working in complementary manner with distinct aspects of the research area. This is facilitated by 

regular coordinated or joint funding of activity to avoid duplication of effort.

Feedstock 

Development 

& Production

Feedstock 

Logistics

Fuel 

Conversion

Fuel 

Conversion 

Scale-Up

Fuel Testing 

& Evaluation

Integrated 

Challenges

Figure A-1. Agency-Specific Contributions to AJF Development Path

Department of Commerce (DOC)

DOC, primarily through the work of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the 

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the International Trade Administration (ITA), 

supports R&D across the AJF Development Path to promote job creation, economic growth, and 

sustainable development associated with the AJF industry. This support is accomplished by advancing 

measurements and standards, promoting technologies in the global arena, and providing atmospheric 

and terrestrial measurements in support of decisions relating to the role of aircraft emission sources and 

land-use changes. DOC research has focused on alternative fuel properties and aviation emissions and 

their effects on the atmosphere. Other activities have involved deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and 

metabolomics for optimizing the next generation of crops, optimizing and characterizing catalysts and 

catalysis processes, and information and algorithms for simulating conversion processes. DOC will 

continue its Earth-observing mission in support of biomass-based jet fuels; address the identified needs 

for measurements, models, reference materials, and property databases on biofuels; and support 

innovation and efficiencies in the AJF sector throughout the Development Path.
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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Department of Defense (DOD)

DOD supports the testing and approval of AJF to enable the broadest set of available energy options and 

supports national goals for energy security and assured operations. It conducts research, development, 

testing, and evaluation for aircraft propulsion, airframe subsystems, and ground infrastructure to enable 

alternative fuel use in DOD platforms; develops knowledge-based certification methods to reduce 

qualification and certification time and cost; conducts R&D to identify opportunities that will enhance the 

process of qualifying soon-to-be commercially available alternative fuels for use in military platforms; and 

evaluates the airworthiness of AJFs for use in military platforms. DOD also performs testing relevant only 

to military uses, which include evaluating performance of AJFs in ground-based diesel engines and 

afterburning fighter engines. The Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force will continue to evaluate 

pathways for potential incorporation of AJF into military and commercial jet fuel specifications. DOD will 

continue to support the Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III Advanced Drop-in Biofuel Production 

Project, through which three drop-in fuel producers are receiving $70-million awards that were jointly 

funded by the DOD and DOE. Furthermore, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), on behalf of the Navy (and 

in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the Farm-to-Fleet 

initiative), recently began to solicit for deliveries of JP-5 jet fuel that include up to 50% bio-based AJF 

starting in 2015. This bio-based AJF procurement initiative is expected to continue in the coming years.

Under DOD Directive (DODD) 4180.01, DOD Energy Policy, it is stated that DOD will “diversify and expand 

energy supplies and sources, including renewable energy sources and alternative fuels.”9 The Navy has 

set a goal of alternative sources used for 50% of total Navy energy consumption afloat (which includes jet 

fuel) by 2020 (approximately 336 million gallons of alternative fuels annually, including marine and jet 

fuels). The Air Force has set a goal to increase the use of cost-competitive drop-in AJF blends for noncontingency operations to 50% of total consumption by 2025 (likely to exceed 1 billion gallons annually).

Department of Energy (DOE)

DOE supports basic and applied R&D, analysis, demonstration, and deployment efforts for nextgeneration AJFs. These efforts in biofuels are aligned with DOE’s priorities of science and discovery, clean 

energy, economic prosperity, and mitigation of climate change. DOE’s programs in the Office of Energy 

Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the Office of Science, and the Advanced Research Projects AgencyEnergy (ARPA-E), as well as DOE’s Loan Guarantee Program, have made investments in next-generation 

biofuels. This work and other efforts help form a foundation for DOE’s continued support and 

development of commercially viable and sustainable AJF conversion technologies. Specific DOE activities 

in applied areas include applied R&D to reduce the cost and risk associated with innovative pathways to 

AJF, including developing catalysts and biocatalysts and upgrading biomass-derived intermediates; costshared demonstration of these technologies at pilot and demonstration scale; collaborating on 

certification, testing, and approval processes for AJF from sustainable feedstocks; assessing feedstock 

resources; and conducting techno-economic analysis of innovative alternative conversion technologies.

DOE also supports basic research through the Bioenergy Research Centers, Energy Frontier Research 

Centers, targeted solicitations, and ongoing programs that advance fundamental knowledge and 

technological innovation for the development of AJF. Such efforts address fundamental science issues 

important for feedstock production, biomass quality, catalyst development, and feedstock conversion.

Examples of basic research activities include structural and mechanistic studies that can inform the design 

of highly selective and efficient catalysts; analysis of plant cell wall biosynthesis and structure to guide 

 9 Department of Defense, “DoD Energy Policy,” Department of Defense Directive (DODD) 4180.01 (Washington, DC: USD

(AT&L), April 16, 2014), 1, http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/418001_2014.pdf.
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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feedstock conversion strategies; development of chemical, enzymatic, and pyrolytic approaches for 

biomass conversion; studies of photosynthetic efficiency and regulation to enhance biomass production; 

and understanding of plant lipid biosynthesis for increased oil production. DOE is also a signatory agency 

in the “Farm to Fly 2.0” agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and USDA.

Department of Transportation (DOT)

Within DOT, the FAA leads R&D efforts to address barriers and support the adoption, production, and end 

use of AJFs by the civil jet aviation community to enable environmentally unconstrained growth of 

commercial aviation. Agency efforts include AJF performance testing to inform ASTM International 

approval; emissions testing; analyses of environmental impact and economic and supply potential; and 

support to facilitate coordination between the public, private, and research sectors. Current activities

include coordination of the aviation industry, government, academic, and energy industry stakeholders 

through CAAFI®; support for AJF testing for ASTM International qualification by industry via the 

Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions, and Noise (CLEEN) technology development program; and studies 

related to aircraft emissions, environmental impacts, and supply chain development conducted by the 

Aviation Sustainability Center (ASCENT), an FAA-sponsored university-based center of excellence on AJF

and Environment, to address knowledge gaps and inform decision-making. The DOT Volpe National 

Transportation Systems Center provides valuable technical support, which builds on its long history of 

evaluating the national transportation system to conduct environmental and economic analyses of AJFs. 

DOT will continue to support coordination of efforts via CAAFI® and to research ways to enable AJFs,

including analysis of the opportunities and barriers to establishing AJF supply chains in multiple regions of 

the United States and environmental and techno-economic analysis of multiple AJF pathways in relation 

to conventional jet fuels. The FAA has set an aspirational goal for the U.S. aviation industry to use 1 billion 

gallons of AJFs annually by 2018 (about 5% of expected use).

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

EPA is developing and implementing the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program to ensure that 

transportation fuel sold in the United States contains a minimum volume of renewable fuel. Under the 

RFS program, jet fuel derived from renewable biomass can qualify for tradable credits known as 

Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) if it meets certain criteria. In the March 2010 RFS final rule 

(75 Federal Register 14670),

10 EPA determined that a number of jet fuel pathways qualify as advanced 

biofuel or cellulosic biofuel based on their life-cycle reductions in GHG emissions compared to baseline 

fuel and the feedstocks used to produce them. In addition, through regulations issued in March 2013 (78 

Federal Register 14190),

11 EPA clarified that some renewable diesel processes that had been previously 

evaluated included jet fuel and also approved additional jet fuel pathways. In the March 2010 RFS rule, 

EPA also created a petition process whereby parties can petition the agency to evaluate the life-cycle GHG 

emissions of additional jet fuel pathways. Through this petition process, the EPA will continue to use the 

best available science to evaluate new jet fuel pathways under the RFS program.

 10 Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: Changes to Renewable Fuel Standard Program; Final Rule, 75 Fed. Reg. 14670 

(March 26, 2010), https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2010-03-26/pdf/2010-3851.pdf.

11 Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: Identification of Additional Qualifying Renewable Fuel Pathways under the 

Renewable Fuel Standard Program, 78 Fed. Reg. 14190 (March 5, 2013), https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-03-

05/pdf/2013-04929.pdf.
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Aeronautics research at NASA includes developing knowledge, technologies, tools, and innovative 

concepts to enable safe, new generations of civil aircraft that are more energy efficient and have a smaller 

environmental footprint. Advanced, environmentally friendly aircraft will be needed in the future to 

support domestic and international air transportation demands while protecting and preserving the 

environment. To this end, NASA has been working with other government agencies and organizations to 

characterize the environmental benefits of “drop-in” AJFs by measuring the emissions of these fuels from 

actual aircraft engines on the ground and in-flight. Data resulting from these tests are being used as input 

to air quality and climate change models and are informing the development of aviation emission 

standards. NASA research also includes continuing to advance the physics-based understanding of 

combustion and combustion processes as a foundation for ensuring that future aircraft systems can take 

full advantage of the environmental benefits offered by AJFs. NASA will also continue to investigate 

potential technology solutions for the more distant future. These solutions may dramatically reduce fuel 

usage and leverage more electric power.

National Science Foundation (NSF)

NSF supports basic research in all non-medical fields of fundamental science and engineering. NSF’s clean 

energy investments include research related to sustainability science and engineering (e.g., the 

conversion, storage, and distribution of diverse power sources and the science and engineering of energy 

materials, energy use, and energy efficiency). As part of these clean energy activities, NSF supports basic 

research to advance the innovation and fundamental understanding needed for the development of 

advanced biofuels, including feedstock production, feedstock logistics, and feedstock conversion. NSF 

supports fundamental research to enable biomass feedstock production through ongoing programs that 

support the plant sciences, and targeted solicitations, most notably the Plant Genome Research Program 

(PGRP). Research activities supported by the PGRP focus on fundamental questions in plant sciences and

the development of sequence resources in crop plants. NSF also supports research to address 

fundamental scientific and technological issues related to biomass feedstock logistics, including 

environmental and sustainability challenges of plant biomass harvesting; systems-level analysis and lifecycle assessment of integrated bio-refinery operations; and innovative approaches for algae harvesting 

and dewatering for algal biofuel production processes. NSF supports scientific and engineering research 

to drive innovation and fundamental understanding of biological and chemical routes for the conversion 

of renewable feedstocks into advanced biofuels. Relevant examples include new catalysts for the 

conversion of biomass constituents into hydrocarbons and for the direct reduction of CO2 and water into 

energy-dense molecules; advanced chemical reactor processes for thermochemical or thermocatalytic 

breakdown and deoxygenation of biomass into hydrocarbons; genetic engineering and synthetic biology 

of microorganisms for advanced biofuel production pathways from renewable feedstocks; and bioprocess 

engineering of native and genetically engineered microorganisms (bacteria, yeast, and algae) for 

production of alcohols, lipid-based biofuels, or advanced hydrocarbon biofuels from biomass-derived 

sugars or from sunlight and CO2.

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

USDA enables the production and use of dependable supplies of dedicated feedstocks for the sustainable 

production of aviation biofuels through the creation of new scientific knowledge and technological 

innovation and program and policy support. The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the Forest Service 

lead internal efforts through the USDA Regional Biomass Research Centers that support the development 

of region-based strategies for the sustainable production of dedicated feedstocks and their genetic 
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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improvement. The ARS provides scientific leadership that directly advances technologies to enable AJF 

conversion from non-food feedstocks. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) provides 

leadership and funding for extramural research, development, demonstration, education, and outreach 

activities through competitive programs (e.g., the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) 

Sustainable Bioenergy Challenge, the Biomass Research and Biomass Research and Development Initiative

(BRDI), the USDA/DOE Plant Feedstock Genomics for Bioenergy Program, and the Small Business 

Innovation Research (SBIR) Program and through non-competitive programs that target workforce and 

human capital development). Other USDA programs support commercial deployment of feedstock 

production, logistic, and conversion systems; availability of sustainable feedstock supplies; and research 

on indirect land-use and GHG emissions. USDA will continue extensive intramural and extramural 

investment in complete feedstock supply systems, demonstration pilot plants, biorefineries, and 

distribution infrastructure across the biofuels spectrum. Foundational, applied, and precommercialization R&D, demonstration, sustainability (economic, environmental, and social) analyses, 

work force development, technology transfer, policy information and analysis, and risk reduction and 

management are among the activities that USDA will continue to support in the future.
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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Appendix 2.

Multi-Agency Activities that Contribute to Research and Development 

(R&D) of Alternative Jet Fuels (AJFs)

The agencies also support joint initiatives and inter-agency and government-industry coordination efforts

that advance AJF development and its future commercial production. For example, the Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA) and the Department of Defense (DOD) support research to determine the technical

feasibility of using new AJFs in aircraft with the existing infrastructure. While many of the tests that DOD 

performs resemble those required by ASTM International, DOD also evaluates AJF blends for use in aircraft 

that perform under conditions atypical for commercial aircraft (e.g., afterburning fighter engines) in 

addition to testing these fuels for use in its ground fleet of (primarily) diesel engines. Also, the U. S 

Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Department of the Navy 

signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in 2011 in which they coordinate activities to support 

the construction, retrofit, and operation of a selected set of domestic commercial-scale production 

facilities to produce advanced drop-in biofuels, including AJFs that meet military specifications. Three 

facilities have been selected and are proceeding with the design phase. Details of these and other example

initiatives are given below.

Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI)—The Biomass Research and Development Board12 is 

an interagency collaborative composed of senior decision-makers from Federal agencies and the White 

House, co-chaired by USDA and DOE. In addition to USDA and DOE, the Board includes members from the 

Department of Transportation (DOT), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Science 

Foundation (NSF), the Department of Interior (DOI), DOD, and the Office of Science and Technology Policy 

(OSTP). It was established by the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000,

13 later amended by 

Section 9001 of the Food Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (FCEA),

14 and most recently reauthorized 

in the Agricultural Act of 2014.

15 The Board annually implements the Biomass Research and Development 

Initiative (BRDI),

16 which consists of grants made available through FCEA Section 9008,17 and other 

programs. The Technical Advisory Committee18 (Committee or TAC) is an independent body that provides 

input to agencies regarding the technical focus and direction of the Initiative.

Advanced Drop-In Biofuels Production—In August 2011 the USDA, DOE, and Navy proposed to invest 

directly with industry in infrastructure to produce advanced drop-in aviation and marine biofuels to power 

military and commercial transportation. The effort consists of:

 12 Biomass Research and Development, “Board,” last updated 03/16/2015, http://www.biomassboard.gov/board/board.html.

13 Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, “Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000,” 

http://energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/downloads/biomass-research-and-development-act-2000.

14 Food Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, Pub. L. 110-246, 121 Stat. 2064 (2008), https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW110publ246/pdf/PLAW-110publ246.pdf.

15 Agricultural Act of 2014, H.R. 2642, 113th Cong. (2014), https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-113hr2642enr/pdf/BILLS113hr2642enr.pdf.

16 Biomass Research and Development, “Initiative,” last updated 12/09/2010, 

http://www.biomassboard.gov/initiative/initiative.html.

17 Food Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, Pub. L. 110-246, 121 Stat. 2079 (2008), https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW110publ246/pdf/PLAW-110publ246.pdf.

18 Biomass Research and Development, “Advisory Committee,” last updated 03/16/2015, 

http://www.biomassboard.gov/committee/committee.html.
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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• Defense Production Act (DPA)—The Department of the Navy, USDA, and the DOE are collaborating 

with industry to co-fund the construction of three fuel production facilities through the Defense 

Production Act of 1950 (DPA), as amended (50 U.S.C. App. § 2061 et seq.).

19 Title III of the DPA 

enables this funding mechanism, thereby identifying the development of alternative fuel 

production capability to be of strategic importance to the security of the United States. Funding 

for the three facilities that will produce 100 million gallons (combined) of diesel and jet fuel was 

announced in September 2014.

• Farm to Fleet—In summer 2014, DOD published a bulk fuel solicitation that, for the first time, 

encourages biofuel blends of 10% or greater in F-76 and JP-5 fuels. USDA is supporting this DOD

solicitation by offering Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) funds to cover the price differential 

between alternative and conventional jet (or diesel) fuels.

Farm to Fly 2.0 Agreement—In April 2013, USDA and DOT signed a “Farm to Fly 2.0” agreement with the 

aviation industry represented by Airlines for America (A4A), Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), 

Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA), General Aviation Manufacturers Association 

(GAMA), and the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) to work together toward achieving the 

aspirational goal of having 1 billion gallons of AJF in use by U.S. civil and military aviation by 2018. In 

July 2014, DOE joined as a signatory to the agreement. CAAFI® provides facilitation support. The initiative 

focuses government and aviation industry resources toward jet fuel supply chain development, including 

carrying out feasibility studies for fuel production in various U.S. states.

Feedstock Readiness Level Tool—The USDA and the FAA signed an MOU on Aviation Biofuel Development 

in October 2010 to create a framework of cooperation to leverage expertise of the two agencies to 

develop AJF production. It was a tri-partite agreement between FAA’s Office of Environment and Energy, 

the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the USDA Office of Energy Policy and New Uses 

(OEPNU). Under the partnership, the three offices developed the Feedstock Readiness Level (FSRL) Tool 

to assess availability of different kinds of feedstocks that will be needed by biorefineries to produce 

renewable jet fuels.

Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative (CAAFI®)—CAAFI® was jointly founded in 2006 by FAA and 

aviation industry associations A4A, AIA, and ACI-NA to explore the potential of AJFs. It has become a key 

forum for exchange, coordination, and cooperation among a cross section of participants from airlines, 

manufacturers, airports, fuel producers, Federal agencies, and international players and has been crucial

in accelerating fuel approvals, critical research, and commercial agreements between fuel producers and 

airline fuel users.

 19 The Defense Production Act of 1950, As Amended, 50 U.S.C. App. § 2061 et seq. (2009), 

http://www.acq.osd.mil/mibp/dpac/final__defense_production_act_091030.pdf.
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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Appendix 3.

Federal Alternative Jet Fuel (AJF) Research and Development (R&D) 

Goals and Objectives

The following research and development (R&D) goals and objectives are intended to guide Federal R&D 

efforts in addressing key scientific and technical challenges. These R&D goals and objectives are projected 

to be completed over near-term (<5 years), mid-term (5–10 years), and far-term (>10 years) time horizons. 

Agencies that have an R&D mission that aligns with a particular goal or objective are indicated. In most 

cases, the goals and objectives are shared by multiple agencies, which reflects the reality that agencies 

have distinct expertise and capability and play complementary roles that contribute to overall AJF R&D 

enterprise. R&D Coordination takes place via bodies indicated in Appendix 2, including the Biomass R&D 

Board, CAAFI®, Farm to Fly 2.0, and so forth.
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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R&D Goals and Objectives for Feedstock Development, Production, and Logistics

Feedstock 

Development, 

Production, and 

Logistics Goals

Objectives

Near-Term 

(<5 years)

Mid-Term

(5–10 years)

Far Term 

(>10 years)

Feedstock 

Development

(FG1) Increase crop 

yields (tons/acre), 

water and nutrient use 

efficiency, as well as 

pest and disease 

resistance, and 

improve feedstock

conversion 

characteristics (DOC, 

DOE, NSF, USDA)

(FG1NO1) Benchmark 

readiness of existing regional 

feedstock (Feedstock 

Readiness Level (FSRL)) and 

identify new and diverse 

feedstocks with regard to 

potential delivery at 

requisite quantity, quality, 

and cost for extant or 

emerging conversion 

platforms (DOE, USDA)

(FG1NO2) Identify public and 

private sources for regional 

feedstock candidates and 

catalog characteristics to 

understand where research 

gaps exist (DOE, NSF, USDA)

(FG1NO3) Set up feedstock 

improvement programs/ 

partnerships to facilitate 

accelerated crop 

improvement (DOE, USDA)

(FG1NO4) Leverage existing 

feedstock improvement 

programs and genetic/ 

genomic information (DOE, 

USDA)

(FG1NO5) Evaluate/ 

characterize agriculture/ 

forest residuals (DOE, USDA)

(FG1NO6) Develop risk 

management tools such as 

crop insurance to promote 

dedicated bioenergy crop 

production (USDA)

(FG1MO1) Identify new 

traits/genes of interest and 

develop genomic and 

marker-aided selection 

capacities (DOC, DOE, NSF, 

USDA)

(FG1MO2) Scale-up nextgeneration improved 

feedstock for deployment 

and large-scale site 

evaluation studies (USDA)

(FG1MO3) Develop 

research/science-based 

process to move transgenic 

crops through the 

regulation process and 

implement the process 

(DOE, USDA)

(FG1MO4) Evaluate and 

improve regionally and 

seasonally diverse thirdgeneration crops (DOE, 

USDA)

(FG1MO5) Develop efficient 

non-traditional crops, such 

as algae, microbial 

resources, or synthetic 

biology systems, that can 

use non-potable water or 

waste carbon monoxide/ 

carbon dioxide (CO/CO2), 

and that can process/treat 

various industrial and 

municipal wastes as energy 

sources (DOE, NSF, USDA)

(FG1LO1) Scale-up improved 

next-generation feedstock for 

deployment and large-scale site 

evaluation studies (USDA)

(FG1LO2) Scale-up transgenic 

crops that have been cleared for 

environmental release for 

deployment and large-scale site 

evaluation studies (DOE, USDA)

(FG1LO3) Evaluate and improve 

regionally and seasonally diverse 

fourth-generation crops (DOE, 

USDA)
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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Feedstock 

Development, 

Production, and 

Logistics Goals

Objectives

Near-Term 

(<5 years)

Mid-Term

(5–10 years)

Far Term 

(>10 years)

Feedstock Production

(FG2) Develop 

sustainable feedstock 

production systems 

that require minimal 

inputs, have a high 

tolerance for 

environmental stress, 

and minimize the risk 

of adverse 

environmental impacts 

(e.g., invasiveness, 

erosion) (DOE, USDA)

(FG2NO1) Identify/evaluate/ 

leverage past/current 

regional R&D to understand 

gaps/needs (DOE, USDA)

(FG2NO2) Leverage/build 

regional R&D partnerships

including local communities, 

universities, industry, 

government, and nongovernmental organizations 

(NGOs) (DOE, USDA)

(FG2NO3) Set up/leverage 

sub-commercial-scale test 

sites to perform R&D with 

existing genotypes/residuals 

(DOE, USDA)

(FG2NO4) Train regional 

extension/tech transfer 

specialists who will interface 

with producers (farmers/ 

forest landowners), 

processors, and communities 

(USDA)

(FG2NO5) Identify regional 

workforce requirements 

across supply chains (USDA)

(FG2MO1) Evaluate regional 

feedstock production R&D 

to determine best practices, 

best regional 

feedstock/production 

systems/conversion 

platform pairings (DOE, 

USDA)

(FG2MO2) Evaluate 

cropping/management 

system economic, 

environmental, and social 

sustainability criteria and 

indicators (DOE, USDA)

(FG2MO3) Train additional 

regional extension/ 

technology transfer 

specialists who will 

interface with producers 

(farmers and landowners), 

processors, and 

communities (USDA)

(FG2MO4) Evaluate/modify 

workforce development 

needs and training (USDA)

(FG2MO5) Evaluate policy 

and economic incentives to 

promote sustainable, 

efficient production of 

dedicated bioenergy 

feedstock (DOE, USDA)

(FG2LO1) Evaluate regional 

feedstock production R&D to 

recommend long-term best 

practices, best regional 

feedstock/production 

systems/conversion platform 

pairings (DOE, USDA)

(FG2LO2) Evaluate cropping/ 

management system economic, 

environmental, and social 

sustainability criteria and 

indicators for long-term analysis 

(DOE, USDA)

(FG2LO3) Train additional 

regional extension/tech transfer 

specialists who will interface with 

producers (farmers/landowners), 

processors, and communities 

over the long term (USDA)
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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Feedstock 

Development, 

Production, and 

Logistics Goals

Objectives

Near-Term 

(<5 years)

Mid-Term

(5–10 years)

Far Term 

(>10 years)

Feedstock Logistics

(FG3) Improve

harvesting, collection, 

storage, densification, 

pretreatment, and 

transportation of 

physical biomass to 

the conversion facility

(DOE, NSF, USDA)

(FG3NO1) 

Identify/evaluate/leverage 

past/current regional R&D to 

understand gaps/needs 

(DOE, USDA)

(FG3NO2) Study the impact 

of changes in regional logistic 

scenarios on the quality of 

existing feedstock/residue 

and bio-based product/ 

co-product options (DOE, 

NSF, USDA)

(FG3NO3) Identify targets for 

reducing costs, minimizing 

feedstock losses, and 

enhancing quality at every 

step of the regional logistic 

chain (DOE, USDA)

(FG3NO4) Establish/leverage 

feedback loops from regional 

AJF conversion platforms 

(DOE, USDA)

(FG3MO1) Optimize 

regional logistic chains with 

extant/emerging 

feedstocks/residues and 

conversion technologies 

(DOE, USDA)

(FG3MO2) Understand 

feedstock quality impacts 

from logistic chain on biobased product/co-product 

options (USDA, DOE)

(FG3LO1) Review and optimize, 

as needed, regional logistic 

chains with extant/emerging 

crops/residues and conversion 

technologies (DOE, USDA)

(FG3LO2) Optimize feedstock 

quality impacts from logistic 

chain on bio-based product/ 

co-product options (DOE, USDA)

(FSG4) Improve

collection, storage, 

densification, 

pretreatment, and 

transportation of 

municipal solid waste 

to the conversion 

facility (DOE)

(FG4NO1) Identify/evaluate/ 

leverage past/current 

regional R&D to understand 

gaps/needs(DOE)

(FG4NO2) Study the impact 

of changes in regional logistic 

scenarios on the quality of 

existing MSW feedstock 

(DOE)

(FG4NO3) Identify targets for 

reducing costs, minimizing 

feedstock losses, and 

enhancing quality at every 

step of the regional logistic 

chain (DOE)

(FG4MO1) Optimize 

regional logistic chains for 

MSW with emerging/extant 

conversion technologies 

(DOE)

(FG4MO2) Understand 

feedstock quality impacts 

from logistic chain on 

co-product options (DOE)

(FG4LO1) Review and optimize, 

as needed, regional logistic 

chains for MSW with extant/ 

emerging conversion 

technologies (DOE)

(FG4LO2) Optimize feedstock 

quality impacts from logistic 

chain on co-product options 

(DOE)
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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R&D Goals and Objectives for Fuel Conversion and Scale-Up

R&D Goals

Objectives

Near-Term 

(<5 years)

Mid-Term 

(5–10 years)

Far Term 

(>10 years)

(S1) Enable discovery, 

development, 

enhancement, and scale-up 

of conversion processes 

with improved yield, 

efficiency, and energy 

requirements that lead to 

cost-competitive AJF (DOD, 

DOE, NSF, USDA)

(S1NO1) Improve conversion 

yields for promising 

processes by increasing the 

lifetime of catalysts, 

removing oxygen efficiently, 

and producing fuel 

precursors that can be easily 

converted to jet fuel (DOE, 

NSF)

(S1NO2) Develop new and 

effective pre-treatment 

technologies that improve 

the ability of biomass to be 

converted to AJF, including 

co-processing in existing 

petro-based refineries (DOE, 

NSF)

(S1NO3) Develop and 

demonstrate integrated fuel 

conversion facilities at 

commercial scale that 

produce jet fuel as a 

component of their product 

slates (DOD, DOE, USDA)

(S1MO1) Develop new 

approaches that permit 

reduced numbers of 

operational steps (e.g., 

consolidated bio-processing)

(DOE, NSF)

(S1LO1) Research and 

enable economically viable 

and sustainable processes 

that can use a variety of 

feedstocks to produce jet 

fuel and can be operated at 

a pilot/demonstration scale

(DOE)

(S2) Develop conversion 

technologies that can 

produce jet fuel from 

multiple feedstocks in a 

distributed manner (DOD, 

DOE, NSF, USDA)

(S2NO1) Determine the 

feasibility of co-feeding 

biomass, waste, and other 

feedstocks for conversion 

process at demo and pilot 

scales (DOE)

(S2MO1) Enable the use of 

stranded resources (natural 

gas, biomass, and other 

feedstocks currently being 

flared or wasted) for the 

production of jet fuel (DOE)

(S2LO1) Develop and 

demonstrate technologies 

based on biological, 

chemical, or catalytic 

principles that operate 

efficiently at distributed 

scale (DOD, DOE, NSF, 

USDA)
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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R&D Goals and Objectives for Fuel Testing and Evaluation

R&D Goals

Objectives

Near-Term 

(<5 years)

Mid-Term 

(5–10 years)

Far Term 

(>10 years)

(Q1) Facilitate civil and 

military approval of 

additional AJF pathways by 

enabling efficient 

evaluation for performance 

and safety through 

advancement of 

certification and 

qualification processes and 

collection and analysis of 

data (DOD, DOT, NASA)

(Q1NO1) Support capability 

to perform all testing 

required by ASTM D405420

and military specifications, 

including fuel property 

testing, component/rig 

testing, and aircraft engine 

testing to complete 

evaluation for viable 

alternative jet fuel pathways

(DOD, DOT)

(Q1NO2) Establish a 

coordinated process to track

and monitor progress of 

ASTM and military AJF task 

forces, conduct data review 

and testing activities, and 

establish schedules and 

prioritize projects leveraging 

tools such as the Fuel 

Readiness Level (FRL) (DOT)

(Q1NO3) Explore novel 

approaches for approval of 

alternative jet fuels with test 

and evaluation 

requirements 

commensurate with the 

blend percentages (DOD, 

DOT)

(Q1NO4) Characterize the 

conventional U.S. jet fuel 

supply to better understand 

the jet fuel property 

baseline and variations to 

enable statistical 

assessment of alternative jet 

fuel appropriateness and 

benefits (DOT)

(Q1NO5) Advance fuel 

composition and 

combustion performance 

modeling, experimentation, 

and analysis (DOD, DOT, 

NASA)

(Q1NO6) Develop improved 

(Q1MO1) Integrate fuel 

composition and 

combustion modeling and 

tests into the alternative jet 

fuel approval process to 

support broad-based 

approvals including neat and 

blended fuels

(DOD, DOT, NASA)

(Q1LO1) Develop highspeed, efficient, affordable 

test methods that can be 

integrated into the 

alternative fuel production 

and distribution 

infrastructure to allow realtime compositional 

verification of alternative jet 

fuel properties to reduce or 

eliminate the need for 

process-specific qualification

(DOD, DOT, NASA)

 20 ASTM International, Standard Practice for Qualification and Approval of New Aviation Turbine Fuels and Fuel Additives, 

ASTM D4054-14 (West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International, 2014).
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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R&D Goals

Objectives

Near-Term 

(<5 years)

Mid-Term 

(5–10 years)

Far Term 

(>10 years)

test methods for 

certification and 

qualification that allow for 

more rapid, efficient and 

less costly fuel evaluation to 

support approvals (DOD, 

DOT, NASA)

(Q2) Improve scientific 

understanding of how AJF 

composition impacts gas 

turbine combustion 

emissions and operability

(DOC, DOD, DOT, NASA)

(Q2NO1) Establish national 

databases of alternative jet 

fuel engine operability

testing and combustion 

emissions data and analyses

(DOC, DOT)

(Q2NO2) Support AJF 

turbine engine combustion 

emissions measurements 

and analysis (DOD, DOT, 

NASA)

(Q2NO3) Examine 

dependence of variations in 

jet fuel composition on 

magnitude and types of 

combustion emissions (DOD, 

DOT, NASA)

(Q2MO1) Expand AJF 

turbine engine combustion 

emissions measurements 

and analysis to include new 

AJF candidates (DOD, DOT, 

NASA)

(Q2MO2) Expand national 

database of combustion 

emissions measurements 

and analyses to include data 

for new AJF candidates

(DOC, DOD, DOT, NASA)

(Q2MO3) Develop 

correlation and parametric 

relationship between jet 

fuels combustion and 

combustion emissions (DOC, 

DOD, DOT, NASA)

(Q2LO1) Develop modeling 

capability to predict jet 

engine combustion 

emissions as a function of 

fuel composition (DOD, DOT, 

NASA)

(Q2LO2) Employ fuel 

composition characteristics

to improve combustor 

operability and enable 

combustor designs that can 

accommodate a broader 

range of fuel properties

(DOD, NASA)
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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R&D Goals and Objectives for Integrated Challenges

R&D Goals

Objectives

Near-Term 

(<5 years)

Mid-Term 

(5–10 years)

Far Term 

(>10 years)

(C1) Advance understanding 

of and improve 

environmental 

sustainability of AJF 

production and use (DOC, 

DOT, EPA, USDA)

(C1NO1) Advance the 

scientific understanding of 

environmental impacts of 

AJF production and use on 

all relevant scales, including 

those related to life-cycle 

emissions that impact 

climate change and 

environment (DOC, DOT, 

EPA, USDA)

(C1NO2) Improve 

capabilities to assess natural 

resource requirements for 

AJF production and use on 

regional and national scales

(DOC, DOT, USDA)

(C1NO3) Compile, assess, 

and disseminate definitions, 

protocols, data, and tools in 

support of environmental 

sustainability analysis (DOC, 

DOT, EPA, NSF)

(C1MO1) Contribute to 

internationally recognized 

approaches to AJF 

environmental sustainability 

assessment through 

quantitative sustainability 

analysis (DOC, DOT, EPA, 

USDA)

(C1MO2) Develop best 

practices for collecting and 

analyzing AJF life-cycle 

inventory data aligned with 

each stage of fuel and 

feedstock readiness (DOE, 

DOT, EPA)

(C1LO1) Develop improved 

tools and approaches for 

environmental sustainability 

assessment applicable 

across all stages of the 

supply chain and 

generalizable to all AJF 

pathways (DOD, DOT, EPA, 

USDA)

(C2) Develop and validate a 

comprehensive systems 

model to support viable AJF 

deployment (DOD, DOE, 

DOT, EPA, USDA)

(C2NO1) Identify and 

quantify the elements and 

interactions among 

elements that are required 

to develop a systems model 

that can be used to create 

regional and national 

scenarios for AJF 

deployment that reflect 

criteria for environmental, 

economic and social 

sustainability (DOT, EPA, 

USDA)

(C2NO2) Advance technoeconomic and regional 

development path analyses 

of AJF (DOE, DOT, EPA)

(C2NO3) Evaluate impacts of 

AJF production on social 

sustainability (DOE, DOT, 

USDA)

(C2MO1) Develop analytical 

capabilities for components 

of the systems model (DOC, 

DOE, DOT, USDA)

(C2MO2) Develop an 

integrated framework that 

combines economic, 

environmental, and social 

models to assess AJF 

production and use within 

and across regions (DOC, 

DOE, DOT, USDA)

(C2MO3) Create and 

validate a systems model for 

regional AJF production 

supporting plug-and-play 

engineering decision-making

(DOD, DOE, NSF)

(C2LO1) Implement a 

comprehensive systems 

model to examine scenarios 

and identify potentials for 

improved sustainability of 

AJF production and use

enabling plug-and-play 

engineering algorithms

(DOE, DOT, EPA, USDA)
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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R&D Goals

Objectives

Near-Term 

(<5 years)

Mid-Term 

(5–10 years)

Far Term 

(>10 years)

(C3) Promote 

communication as well as 

scientific and technical R&D 

best practices for the 

national enterprise (DOC, 

DOE, DOT, USDA)

(C3NO1) Facilitate the 

dissemination of scientific

and technical information 

via improved access to 

outcomes of federally 

funded AJF R&D activities 

(DOC, DOE, DOT)

(C3NO2) Identify new areas 

for scientific research that 

cuts across individual 

components of the 

development path (DOE, 

DOT, NSF)

(C3MO1) Implement metaanalysis to evaluate the 

state of knowledge and 

identify research challenges 

for the future (DOE, DOT, 

USDA)
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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References

Agricultural Act of 2014, H.R. 2642, 113th Cong. (2014), https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS113hr2642enr/pdf/BILLS-113hr2642enr.pdf.

ASTM International, Standard Practice for Qualification and Approval of New Aviation Turbine Fuels and 

Fuel Additives, ASTM D4054-14 (West Conshohocken, PA: ASTM International, 2014).

Biomass Research and Development Board (BR&DS), Federal Activities Report on the Bioeconomy, 

briefing (Washington, DC: Department of Energy, Bioenergy Technologies Office, March 8, 2016), 

http://biomassboard.gov/pdfs/tac_2016_q1_baumes.pdf. 

Biomass Research and Development, “Board,” last updated 03/16/2015, 

http://www.biomassboard.gov/board/board.html.

Biomass Research and Development, “Initiative,” last updated 12/09/2010, 

http://www.biomassboard.gov/initiative/initiative.html.

Biomass Research and Development, “Advisory Committee,” last updated 03/16/2015, 

http://www.biomassboard.gov/committee/committee.html.

Defense Production Act of 1950, As Amended, 50 U.S.C. App. § 2061 et seq. (2009), 

http://www.acq.osd.mil/mibp/dpac/final__defense_production_act_091030.pdf.

Department of Defense, “DoD Energy Policy,” Department of Defense Directive (DODD) 4180.01 

(Washington, DC: USD (AT&L), April 16, 2014), 1, 

http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/418001_2014.pdf.

Food Conservation and Energy Act of 2008, Pub. L. 110-246, 121 Stat. 2064 (2008), 

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-110publ246/pdf/PLAW-110publ246.pdf.

National Science and Technology Council, National Aeronautics Research and Development Plan 

(Washington, DC: Executive Office of the President, February 2010), 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/aero-rdplan-2010.pdf.

Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, “Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000,” 

http://energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/downloads/biomass-research-and-development-act-2000.

Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: Changes to Renewable Fuel Standard Program; Final Rule, 75 

Fed. Reg. 14670 (March 26, 2010), https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2010-03-26/pdf/2010-

3851.pdf.

Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: Identification of Additional Qualifying Renewable Fuel Pathways 

under the Renewable Fuel Standard Program, 78 Fed. Reg. 14190 (March 5, 2013), 

https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2013-03-05/pdf/2013-04929.pdf.

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March 2011), 

http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/blueprint_secure_energy_future.pdf.

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2012),

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april_2012.pdf.
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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White House, The President’s Climate Action Plan (Washington, DC: Executive Office of the President, 

June 2013), 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/image/president27sclimateactionplan.pdf. 
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

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Abbreviations

A4A Airlines for America

ACI-NA Airports Council International-North America

AFRI Agriculture and Food Research Initiative

AIA Aerospace Industries Association

Aireg Aviation Initiative for Renewable Energy in Germany

AISAF Australian Initiative for Sustainable Aviation Fuels

AJF alternative jet fuel

AJF-IWG Alternative Jet Fuel Interagency Working Group

ARPA-E Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy

ARS Agricultural Research Service

ASCENT Aviation Sustainability Center

ATJ alcohol-to-jet

BBP Brazilian Biofuels Platform

CAAFI® Commercial Aviation Alternative Fuels Initiative

CAEP Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection

CCC Commodity Credit Corporation

CLEEN Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions, and Noise

CO carbon monoxide

CO2 carbon dioxide

DLA Defense Logistics Agency

DNA deoxyribonucleic acid

DOC Department of Commerce

DOD Department of Defense

DODD Department of Defense Directive

DOE Department of Energy

DOI Department of Interior

DOT Department of Transportation

DPA Defense Production Act

EPA Environmental Protection Agency

FAA Federal Aviation Administration

FRL Fuel Readiness Level
Federal Alternative Jet Fuels Research and Development Strategy

32

FSRL Feedstock Readiness Level

GAMA General Aviation Manufacturers Association

GHG greenhouse gas

ICAO International Civil Aviation Organization

ITA International Trade Administration

MOU Memorandum of Understanding

MSW municipal solid waste

NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NBAA National Business Aviation Association

NGO non-governmental organization

NIFA National Institute of Food and Agriculture

NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology

NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NOX nitrogen oxides

NSF National Science Foundation

OEPNU Office of Energy Policy and New Uses

OSTP Office of Science and Technology Policy

PGRP Plant Genome Research Program

R&D research and development

RFS Renewable Fuel Standard

RIN Renewable Identification Number

SBIR Small Business Innovation Research

SOX sulfur oxides

TAC Technical Advisory Committee

U.S.C. United States Code

USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture