Critical Materials Collaborative

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What Is the Critical Materials Collaborative?

The Critical Materials Collaborative (CMC) was authorized by Congress and created by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). It serves as the connective tissue within DOE, among government agencies, and key non-government stakeholders to improve and increase communication and coordination on domestic critical materials research and technology development.

The CMC aims to align, grow, and coordinate funding for the nation’s critical minerals and materials (CMM) innovation ecosystem with the goal of accelerating commercialization of new and cutting-edge technologies to enable secure and robust domestic critical material supply chains to support U.S. national security, energy security, and economic competitiveness.

Mission

To accelerate DOE’s critical materials research, development, demonstration, and deployment (RDD&D) to achieve domestic energy manufacturing, technology, and national security goals by:

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Building robust supply chain networks.

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Training critical materials leaders and the broader CMM workforce across multiple sectors.

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Fostering industry adoption and deployment of cutting-edge technology.

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Laying the scientific and technological groundwork needed to address emerging challenges.

Team

Currently, the CMC is comprised of several offices across the DOE and RDD&D awardees funded through CMC-coordinated opportunities and is expanding to include offices across the federal government.

The CMC also partners with the Critical Materials Innovation Hub, which plays a central role in the CMC as an innovation engine—a force multiplier for shared ideas, best practices, and early-stage science and technology solutions.

Member Structure

The DOE sponsoring offices connect with other federal agencies, RDD&D awardees that join through CMC funding opportunities, the Critical Materials Innovation Hub, and DOE national laboratories.

Get Involved

Others outside of the U.S. government can join the CMC by being selected through a CMC-related funding opportunity. The CMC coordinates with RDD&D programs and funding opportunities across DOE to form this membership.

Funding Opportunities

  • Office/ProgramOpportunityDue Date
    Manufacturing Deployment Office (MDO)Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing and Recycling Grant ProgramsLetter of Intent Deadline: 3/27/2026 at 5 p.m. ET

    Full Application Submission Deadline: 4/24/2026 at 5 p.m. ET
    Office of Science (SC)Building EPSCoR-State/National Laboratory PartnershipsRequired pre-application due 3/18/26 at 5 p.m. ET.
     
    Full application due 5/21/2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
    Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO) and Office of Geothermal (OG)Critical Minerals and Materials AcceleratorLetters of intent due 4/21/26 at 5 p.m. ET.
     
    Full application deadlines will be staggered based on topic area, starting in May 2026.
    Office of Science (SC)Early Career Research ProgramRequired pre-application due 3/24/26 at 5 p.m. ET.
     
    Full application due 6/2/2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
    Office of Science (SC)Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC)Required pre-application due 4/1/26 at 5 p.m. ET.
     
    Full application due 7/1/2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
    Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs (OIE)Unleashing Tribal Energy Development7/24/2026 at 5 p.m. ET
    Office of Science (SC)Office of Science Financial Assistance Program9/30/2026

Resources

Webinars & Videos

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Hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Critical Materials Collaborative, this national dialogue brought together stakeholders from academia, industry, labor, and government to strengthen education and workforce development (EWD) across the domestic critical minerals and materials (CMM) supply chain.
Video courtesy of the U.S. Department of Energy

Latest News

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Contact us with any questions at cmc@hq.doe.gov.