FOA 2618 - REE Demo Facility

Office: Office of Resource Sustainability 
FOA Number: DE-FOA-0002618 
Download the full FOA: FedConnect 
FOA Amount: $156 million 

Background Information 

On September 19, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced up to $156 million in funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for a first-of-a-kind facility to extract and separate rare earth elements (REE) and critical minerals (CM) from unconventional sources like mining waste. Rare earth elements and other critical minerals are key to manufacturing clean energy technologies right here in America—such as solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles, and hydrogen fuel cells—that will help the nation reach the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. 

The United States currently imports more than 80% of its rare earth elements from offshore suppliers to produce clean energy technologies and other indispensable products that we rely on every day such as smart phones, computers, and medical equipment. Across the country, there are billions of tons of coal waste and ash, acid mine drainage, and discharged water. However, these waste streams from mining, energy production, and related activities, contain a wide variety of valuable rare earth elements and other critical minerals that can be repurposed into clean energy technologies, while helping to create healthier environments for communities across the country.  

This funding is provided from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Sections 40205 and 41003(b).  

Eligibility 

Eligible applicants include U.S. academic institutions.  

Download the full funding opportunity for more information on eligibility.  

Areas of Interest 

This funding opportunity announcement has two (2) areas of interest: 

  1. Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE) Class 3 FEED Study for Rare Earth Element (REE) Demonstration Facility  
  2. Completed AACE Class 3 FEED Study Separately Funded for REE Demonstration Facility 

Funding  

Phase 1 

DOE expects to make up to eight (8) awards with a minimum of a 20% cost-sharing from the awardees. 

FOA 2618 Funding Table Phase 1

Phase 2 

DOE expects to make one (1) award (competitively down-selected) for up to $124 million with a minimum of a 50% cost-sharing from the awardee. 

FOA 2618 Funding Table Phase 2

Webinar  

An informational webinar was hosted on October 13, 2022 at 2:00 PM ET to discuss this funding opportunity as well as the application requirements. 

Watch the recording here

Attending the informational webinar is not mandatory and will not positively or negatively impact the overall review of any applicant submissions.  

Key Dates

FOA Issue Date:  09/19/2022  
Informational Webinar:  10/13/2022 at 2:00 – 3:00 PM ET
Submission Deadline for Full Applications:  11/21/2022 at 8:00 PM ET  
Expected Date for DOE Selection Notifications:  March 2023
Expected Timeframe for Award Negotiations: March 2023 – July 2023 

Additional Information