Funding Amount: $15,000,000
Download the full lab call: PDF file
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
| Funding Opportunity Issue Date: | 09/26/2025 |
| Submission Deadline for Letter of Intent: | 11/14/2025 at 5:00 PM ET |
| Submission Deadline for Concept Papers: | 12/08/2025 at 5:00 PM ET |
| Submission Deadline for Full Applications: | 01/27/2026 at 5:00 PM ET |
| Expected Date for Selection Notifications: | March 2026 |
Additional Information
- Download the full national laboratory call for proposals
- Download the lab call question and answer document
- All questions and application materials must be submitted to LabCall-FECM-HQ@hq.doe.gov
-
- Critical Materials and Minerals
Programs will advance innovative mining processes and technologies to help revitalize the domestic mining landscape and enhance U.S. mineral security
Sign up to get notified of new FE funding opportunities and to stay current with our latest news.
Last Updated: October 27, 2025