Lab Call: Mine of the Future Research, Development, and Demonstration

Funding Amount: $15,000,000

Background Information

On September 26, 2025 the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy announced up to $15 million in federal funding available to DOE’s National Laboratories for technologies capable of revolutionizing the mining industry. Selected laboratory performers will advance DOE’s critical minerals and materials supply chain strategies through activities that will bridge the gap between bench-scale research and commercial scale demonstration.

Eligibility 

Eligible applicants include all DOE National Laboratories, except the National Energy Technology Laboratory. 

Topic Areas 

This lab call has three topic areas:

1. Mining Innovation, focusing on developing technologies capable of innovating and modernizing the critical mineral mining industry to develop better, novel mining techniques for mining conventional ores that contain critical minerals.
2. Beneficiation, focusing on developing novel beneficiation technologies that can preconcentrate at the mine site along with novel separation techniques to enhance efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and improve resource recovery.
3. In-situ, focusing on in-situ extraction and recovery of critical minerals using technologies that emphasize advanced technological integration with a strong commitment to environmental and social responsibility.

Funding 

DOE expects to award up to a total of $15 million in federal funding.

Key Dates

Additional Information

• All questions and application materials must be submitted to LabCall-FECM-HQ@hq.doe.gov

Last Updated: September 30, 2025