To authorize the Secretary of the Air Force to make competitive grants to support research and development, education, and training to produce a bio-based aviation fuel for use by the Air Force and to provide an initial infusion of funds for the grant program.

To authorize the Secretary of the Air Force to make competitive grants to support research and development, education, and training to produce a bio-based aviation fuel for use by the Air Force and to provide an initial infusion of funds for the grant program. 1. Bio-based aviation fuel research and development, education, and training efforts (a) Competitive grants authorized (1) Authorization and primary purpose The Secretary of the Air Force may make a grant, on a competitive basis, to an existing biofuels research center in the United States to conduct pilot-scale research, development, and testing of bio-based fuels that are suitable for use by the Air Force as an aviation fuel for jet aircraft. (2) Additional purposes Grant funds provided under paragraph (1) may also be used by the grant recipient to train military and civilian personnel in the new technologies and to conduct a study regarding the economic feasibility of a full-scale bio-based aviation fuel production facility. (b) Grant applications and selection (1) In general Grant applicants shall submit an application to the Secretary of the Air Force at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such information as the Secretary may reasonably require. (2) Selection preference In conducting the competition for selection of the grant recipient, the Secretary shall give a preference to an existing biofuels research center in the United States that— (A) has the capacity and expertise necessary to quickly and efficiently conduct the pilot-scale research, development, and testing described in subsection (a)(1); and (B) is located in close proximity to— (i) the raw materials specified in subparagraph (B) of subsection (a)(1); (ii) a military installation with responsibility for military air transportation; and (iii) a private or commercial airport with capacity to host a research and pilot production facility. (c) Grant amounts Grants under subsection (a) may not exceed a total $25,000,000. With the approval of the Secretary of the Air Force, grant funds may be used for infrastructure to facilitate the pilot-scale research, development, and testing described in subsection (a)(1). (d) Source of funds Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Defense shall transfer to the Secretary of the Air Force $25,000,000 from unobligated amounts in the Afghanistan Infrastructure Fund to provide funds for grants under subsection (a). The transferred funds shall be available to the Secretary of the Air Force, until expended, only for the purpose of making grants under subsection (a). The Secretary of the Air Force shall obligate such funds as soon as practicable after the establishment of the grant program.

Summary: Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to make a competitive grant to an existing biofuels research center in the United States to conduct pilot-scale research, development, and testing of bio-based fuels for use by the Air Force as aviation fuel for jet aircraft. Permits a recipient to use grant funds to train military and civilian personnel in the new technologies and to conduct a study regarding the economic feasibility of a full-scale bio-based aviation fuel production facility. Directs the Secretary to give preference to a center that: (1) has the capacity and expertise necessary to quickly and efficiently conduct such research, development, and testing; and (2) is located in close proximity to specified raw materials, a military installation with responsibility for military air transportation, and a private or commercial airport with capacity to host a research and pilot production facility. Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to transfer to the Secretary of the Air Force a specified amount from the Afghanistan Infrastructure Fund to fund such grants.