Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry announced on Mar. 24 the renewal of the U.S. National Science Foundation’s (NSF) funding for Future Use of Energy in Louisiana (FUEL), a program led by Louisiana State University, during the CERAWeek Louisiana Future Energy showcase.
The three-year, $45 million funding renewal is intended to support continued energy innovation and workforce development in Louisiana. The NSF’s decision builds on previous allocations totaling $15 million and reflects ongoing confidence in FUEL’s progress across its main focus areas: research and development driven by practical needs, technology commercialization, and workforce training.
Since its launch in 2024, FUEL has provided support to nearly 30 Louisiana-based energy startups, small businesses, and research projects. The organization has distributed over $8.5 million to various initiatives aligned with its core functions and established 26 partnerships connecting industry, academia, and workforce development efforts.
“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 Michael Mazzola, Executive Director and CEO of FUEL. “The continuation of FUEL by the NSF is the direct result of our success so far.”
Josh Fleig, Chief Innovation Officer at Louisiana Economic Development, said that “the renewal of NSF’s investment in FUEL reinforces Louisiana’s growing role as a hub for energy innovation with global reach.” Fleig added: “By connecting cutting-edge research, commercialization, and workforce development, FUEL is accelerating the technologies and talent that will shape the future of energy.”
According to information released about FUEL’s strategy moving forward, more than 50 partners from education institutions as well as government agencies will continue collaborating with industry stakeholders. The aim is to foster opportunities for residents across career stages while supporting public-private investment needed for sustaining a dynamic workforce prepared for roles within Louisiana’s evolving energy sector.
