Funding Notice: Mines & Metals Capacity Expansion – Piloting By-Product Critical Minerals and Materials Recovery at Domestic Industrial Facilities

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NOFO number: DE-FOA-0003583
Download the full funding opportunity: NETL Exchange
Funding Amount: $275,000,000 

Background Information

On November 14, 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced up to $275 million in federal funding for American industrial facilities capable of producing valuable minerals from existing industrial and coal byproducts. These critical materials are essential for developing technology needed to support U.S. energy production, manufacturing, and transport and for our national defense.

The Department announced in August its intent to invest $1 billion to advance and scale mining, processing, and manufacturing technologies, delivering on President Trump’s Executive Orders, Unleashing American Energy and Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production. These actions will secure America’s critical material supply chain, increase domestic mineral production, reduce reliance on foreign sources, and strengthen U.S. energy independence.

These pilots will demonstrate the feasibility of recovering critical minerals from existing American infrastructure and industrial activity, reducing waste while building new domestic supply chains for high-value materials.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, for- and non-profit entities, state and local governments, and Indian Tribes.

Topic Areas 

This funding opportunity has two topic areas for the design, construction, and operation of large pilot-scale facilities to produce critical materials:

  1. Topic Area 1:  Mines & Metals Pilots—Coal-Based Industry
  2. Topic Area 2:  Mines & Metals Pilots—All Industries

Funding

DOE expects to award up to $275 million in federal funding with a minimum of 20% cost-sharing from the awardees.

Key Dates

NOI Issue Date:08/13/2025
Funding Opportunity Issue Date:11/14/2025
Submission Deadline for Full Applications:12/15/2025 at 5:00 PM ET
Expected Date for Selection Notifications:January 2026

 

Additional Information

Last Updated: November 14, 2025