NOFO number: DE-FOA-0003390
Download the full funding opportunity: NETL Exchange
Funding Amount: $80,000,000
Background Information
On November 14, 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy announced up to $80 million in federal funding to establish Mine of the Future proving grounds for real-world testing of next-generation mining technologies.
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.
Field sites are essential for minerals and mining stakeholders to test innovative technologies under real-world conditions. Awards made under this NOFO will not only develop mining proving grounds but also support research and development projects that accelerate technologies past laboratory and/or bench scale to testing and demonstration in a field-scale setting, an essential step to de-risk commercial adoption of these new mining technologies.
Projects selected under this initiative will also create opportunities for hands-on workforce training to prepare the next generation of American miners and engineers to operate advanced mining systems safely and efficiently.
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 one topic area:
Development of Mining Technology Proving Grounds & One or Two Accelerated Mine Technology R&D Projects
Funding
DOE expects to award up to $80 million in federal funding with a minimum of 20% cost-sharing from the awardees.
Key Dates
| NOI Issue Date: | 09/26/2025 |
| Funding Opportunity Issue Date: | 11/14/2025 |
| Submission Deadline for Full Applications: | 1/30/2026 at 5:00 PM ET |
| Expected Date for Selection Notifications: | February 2026 |
Additional Information
- Download the full funding opportunity on NETL Exchange.
- Questions regarding this NOFO must be submitted to DE-FOA-0003390@netl.doe.gov no later than three (3) business days prior to the application due date and time.
- For technical assistance, contact NETL-ExchangeSupport@hq.doe.gov
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- 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 -
- Advance Energy Addition, Not Subtraction
- Unleash American Energy Innovation
- Critical Materials and Minerals
- Funding Opportunities
The U.S. Department of Energy today announced $355 million for two notices of funding opportunities to expand domestic production of critical materials essential for advancing U.S. energy production, manufacturing, transportation and national defense.
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Last Updated: December 9, 2025