The Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) partners with individuals and organizations to accelerate U.S. energy technologies, workforce development, industrial innovation, and economic growth. Whether you are a researcher, entrepreneur, job seeker, homeowner, student, or manufacturer, there is a path available for collaborating with CMEI.
Areas of Focus
CMEI’s offices are divided into three pillars organized by sector and focused on game-changing energy challenges:
The Partnership Process
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Identify the right opportunity.
Browse our active funding opportunities and the DOE Internships & Fellowships portal to start. Or submit an unsolicited proposal to the DOE Unsolicited Proposals portal.
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Connect or apply.
Submit a proposal, application, or meeting request through the appropriate channel.
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Collaborate and deliver.
Work directly with CMEI program staff and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Laboratory researchers to develop, validate, and scale your idea.
Who We Work With
CMEI drives energy innovation through strong private and public sector relationships to create an American future where energy use and generation are cost effective, secure, and affordable.
Explore the following sections to access the programs, resources, and contacts that are most relevant to your goals.
Innovators, Inventors, and Researchers
CMEI supports U.S.-based innovation with the potential to revolutionize the energy sector. The primary pathways to receive funding are:
- Funding Opportunities: CMEI regularly issues requests for information, notices of intent, and funding opportunities on the CMEI Funding Opportunity Exchange.
- Unsolicited Proposals: If your innovation is outside the scope of current funding programs, you may submit an unsolicited proposal for formal review through the DOE Unsolicited Proposals portal hosted by the National Energy Technology Laboratory. If you have questions, you may e-mail DOEUSP@netl.doe.gov.
Visit Grants.gov to search all Federal funding opportunities available to the public. Register with Grants.gov to be notified of future grants that may apply to you.
Fedconnect.net is also a useful online resource for locating grant opportunities.
- Funding Opportunities: CMEI regularly issues requests for information, notices of intent, and funding opportunities on the CMEI Funding Opportunity Exchange.
DOE does not typically purchase inventions outright. Rather, the Department partners with innovators through cooperative agreements, grants, and contracts that fund the development and demonstration of technologies of interest. Use the Lab Partnering Service tool to connect with experts and facilities across DOE’s National Laboratories.
DOE does not have the authority to speak on tax issues. This responsibility falls under the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). For questions on tax credits, please contact the IRS or your tax professional. For rebates, kindly contact your state government or organization providing the rebate.
CMEI is only authorized to fund projects in which a U.S. citizen or U.S.-based entity is the prime recipient. You will have to arrange a partnership or sponsorship with a U.S.-based company to meet minimum requirements; we cannot assist you in forming such a partnership.
Once you have obtained sponsorship with a U.S.-based organization or company, you may apply for Department resources. You can find examples on the DOE Funding Opportunities page.
If you wish to have a meeting with someone in CMEI, contact your foreign ministry; they are responsible for arranging contact with U.S. departments.
For direct connection, please reach out to staff at a DOE National Laboratory for information on and access to specific expertise or facilities.
The U.S. Department of Energy does not recommend or endorse specific products, services, or companies, nor are we authorized to provide guidance on the reputation of a product, service, or company.
Businesses, Entrepreneurs, and Industry
- Funding Opportunities: CMEI regularly issues requests for information, notices of intent, and funding opportunities on the CMEI Funding Opportunity Exchange.
- Unsolicited Proposals: If your innovation is outside the scope of current funding programs, you may submit an unsolicited proposal for formal review through the DOE Unsolicited Proposals portal hosted by the National Energy Technology Laboratory. If you have questions, you may e-mail DOEUSP@netl.doe.gov.
- Small Business Opportunities: DOE’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs authorize research funding in support of eligible for-profit companies. For business start-up support, refer to the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Visit Grants.gov to search all Federal funding opportunities available to the public. Register with Grants.gov to be notified of future grants that may apply to you.
Fedconnect.net is also a useful online resource for locating grant opportunities.
- Funding Opportunities: CMEI regularly issues requests for information, notices of intent, and funding opportunities on the CMEI Funding Opportunity Exchange.
DOE national laboratories provide multiple opportunities for industry partnerships. For direct connection, please reach out to staff at a DOE National Laboratory for information on and access to specific expertise or facilities.
As a government agency, DOE and its offices remain neutral and impartial. We do not sponsor or endorse products, services, or events not directly funded by DOE.
If DOE funding is involved, please connect with your DOE contact and/or review branding guidance for how to represent CMEI or DOE appropriately and with approval.
Academics and Students
Find resources on DOE’s STEM webpage. There are also maps depicting careers in energy and the necessary training or education to engage with that job opportunity.
CMEI program staff attend conferences, workshops, and events year-round alongside the research community. For speaking engagement requests, please submit a general contact inquiry through DOE.
Visit the DOE career portal for internship and fellowship opportunities.
Workforce and Job Seekers
- Visit our Careers in CMEI page for employment resources and federal employment FAQs.
- Visit our Map a Career in Energy page to learn about potential career paths in specific energy technologies.
- Visit our Careers in CMEI page for employment resources and federal employment FAQs.
Learn more about apprenticeships and training resources available for the energy workforce, which does not include unsolicited sites, organizations, or educational resources.
Homeowners and Energy Users
- EnergyGuide labels are managed by the Federal Trade Commission.
- Visit ENERGY STAR for more information on certified products.
- EnergyGuide labels are managed by the Federal Trade Commission.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) helps low-income households save on energy costs in their homes, while ensuring their health and safety. The WAP is administered at the state and local level. Learn how to apply for weatherization assistance.
The Home Energy Rebates Program, which includes the Home Owner Managing Energy Savings Rebates (HOMES) and High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate (HEEHR) Program, offers direct energy and cost savings to American households through rebates that can help save money on select home-improvement projects.
CMEI oversees appliance standards and the DOE Building Energy Codes Program with an emphasis on fact-based analysis, transparency, and consumer choice.
If you receive a telephone call or unexpected email about CMEI or DOE topics or initiatives, please be assured that the Department does not sell or otherwise provide or distribute any phone numbers to businesses and all emails are only added to listservs with user approval. Use the unsubscribe button at the bottom of your email to remove yourself from a subscription.
Sign up for CMEI Updates, a weekly newsletter that will bring the latest opportunities to your inbox.
Contact Us
To reach its goals, DOE values input from its stakeholders and will take suggestions into consideration when reviewing its programs. We appreciate your interest and encourage you to follow CMEI’s research and development on energy technologies.