LSU-led FUEL Secures $45 Million Funding Renewal From NSF
March 24, 2026
The landmark investment by the National Science Foundation supports energy innovation and the future of energy use and workforce in Louisiana.
Since its launch in 2024, FUEL has supported nearly 30 Louisiana-based energy startups, small businesses, and research projects.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry announced Monday the renewal of the U.S. National Science Foundation’s (NSF) funding for Future Use of Energy in Louisiana (FUEL), spearheaded by LSU, at the CERAWeek Louisiana Future Energy showcase.
The $45 million funding renewal spans a three-year operating period, subject to congressional appropriations, building on $15 million in previous allocations and affirming the NSF’s confidence in FUEL’s advancement across its core functions: use-inspired research and development, technology commercialization, and workforce development.
“Over the past two years, FUEL and its many partners have built an emergent innovation ecosystem to protect and improve the global competitiveness of the nation’s energy and chemical manufacturing industry,” said FUEL Executive Director and CEO Michael Mazzola. “The continuation of FUEL by the NSF is the direct result of our success so far.”
Since its launch, FUEL has disbursed over $8.5 million to transformative initiatives across its core functions, established 26 industry-academic-workforce development partnerships, and supported nearly 30 Louisiana-based energy startups, small businesses, and research projects.
“The renewal of NSF’s investment in FUEL reinforces Louisiana’s growing role as a hub for energy innovation with global reach,” said Louisiana Economic Development Chief Innovation Officer Josh Fleig. “This collaborative innovation ecosystem positions Louisiana to compete on a global stage while creating new opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs, and workers across the state.”
“By connecting cutting-edge research, commercialization, and workforce development, FUEL is accelerating the technologies and talent that will shape the future of energy.”
Josh Fleig, Chief Innovation Officer at Louisiana Economic Development
FUEL’s investment in the state’s energy innovation ecosystem is in alignment with the State of Louisiana’s vision of establishing Louisiana as the U.S. location of choice for energy production, industrial investment, and workforce performance to deliver the resources, execution, and innovation required to meet global energy demand, as identified in the Whole-of-Louisiana Energy Strategy.
Moving forward, FUEL will continue to engage more than 50 education, government and community, and industry and capital partners to accelerate ongoing collaboration among industry, workforce, and cradle-to-career education stakeholders; propel an intentional approach to creating opportunities for Louisiana residents; and energize public and private investors, incubators, and policymakers to sustain and develop a dynamic workforce equipped to work in Louisiana’s energy industry and translate new energy technology to tech startups in Louisiana.
About FUEL
Future Use of Energy in Louisiana (FUEL) brings together universities, community and technical colleges, state agencies, and industry and capital partners to drive high impact technology development and innovation. Supported by funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation's Regional Innovation Engines program and Louisiana Economic Development, FUEL strengthens Louisiana's energy innovation ecosystem through use-inspired research and development, workforce development, and technology commercialization. Together, FUEL and its partners are advancing our nation's capacity for energy innovation by fueling the future of energy in Louisiana, for the world.
For more information, visit fuelouisiana.org.