Breakthrough Science Grants to Reduce Dependence on Critical Minerals for the Green Transition

Breakthrough Science Grants to Reduce Dependence on Critical Minerals for the Green Transition is sponsored by EQT Foundation. This grant program supports frontier science that replaces or radically reduces the use of critical minerals while improving performance, cost, and sustainability.

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“Doing as We're Told Could've Cost EQT €50B” Lennart Blecher Chairperson of EQT Real Assets Discover Our Latest Insights on ThinQ by EQT News EQT Foundation opens applications for breakthrough science grants to reduce dependence on critical minerals for the green transition January 27, 2026, 09:00 Share EQT Foundation opens applications for deeptech solutions grants, tackling critical mineral dependence in climate technologies The program will award between EUR 25,000 and EUR 100,000 EQT Foundation is launching a new open call for proposals under its Science Grants program, focused on critical mineral substitutes for the green transition.

The program will award catalytic, non-dilutive grants of €25,000 to €100,000 to researchers developing high-risk, high-impact deeptech solutions that reduce or eliminate the use of critical and strategic raw materials in key climate technologies. Designed to accelerate bold scientific ideas with strong translational potential, the call is open to scientists affiliated with accredited nonprofit institutions worldwide.

The global transition to net zero depends on technologies such as batteries, electric motors, power electronics, photovoltaics, and electrolyzers. Many of these rely on a narrow set of critical minerals whose supply is concentrated, volatile, and often associated with significant environmental and social costs.

As demand for clean technologies scales, dependence on these materials risks creating bottlenecks, increasing costs, and slowing decarbonization efforts. (1) This grant call aims to support frontier science that replaces or radically reduces the use of critical minerals, while improving performance, cost, and sustainability.

The program seeks solutions that begin in the lab but are designed to move toward real-world deployment, helping to unlock resilient and scalable pathways for the green transition.

The program seeks research at the intersection of deeptech innovation and climate application, with a focus on: Substitutes for critical minerals in energy storage and conversion: materials, chemistries, and device architectures that reduce reliance on constrained inputs in batteries and electrochemical systems, while remaining manufacturable and competitive Rare-earth-free magnets and machine designs: innovations that significantly reduce or eliminate rare earth elements in magnets, motors, and generators without unacceptable efficiency or performance trade-offs Earth-abundant materials for solar, power electronics, and grid technologies: materials and system designs that reduce dependence on scarce inputs while meeting stability, reliability, and manufacturability requirements Circular substitutes through recycling, reuse, and “virtual” substitution: technologies that displace virgin critical mineral demand through novel recovery, purification, and re-manufacturing approaches Cilia Holmes Indahl, CEO of EQT Foundation, comments: “The green transition cannot scale if it remains constrained by a small set of critical minerals with fragile supply chains.

Through this grant program, we aim to support bold scientists developing frontier materials and technologies that can fundamentally change how clean energy systems are built.

” In addition to funding, selected grantees will benefit from access to EQT’s global network, including technical experts, potential industry partners, and tailored commercialization and founder support to help bridge the gap from scientific discovery to scalable impact. Applications open on January 27, 2026, and close on February 25, 2026, at 23:59 CET.

Proposals will be reviewed by a panel of scientific, technical, and translational experts. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interviews with the EQT Foundation team, with final decisions communicated shortly thereafter. https://eqtgroup.

com/eqt-foundation/grant-submission 1. International Energy Agency. (2021).

Reliable supply of minerals . In The role of critical minerals in clean energy transitions (World Energy Outlook Special Report). IEA.

https://www. iea.

org/reports/the-role-of-critical-minerals-in-clean-energy-transitions/reliable-supply-of-minerals EQT Press Office, [email protected] Press release_science grant_critical minerals_260127 EQT is a purpose-driven global investment organization with EUR 270 billion in total assets under management (EUR 141 billion in fee-generating assets under management) as of 31 December 2025, within two business segments – Private Capital and Real Assets.

EQT owns portfolio companies and assets in Europe, Asia Pacific and the Americas and supports them in achieving sustainable growth, operational excellence and market leadership More info: www. eqtgroup. com Follow EQT on LinkedIn , X , YouTube and Instagram EQT Foundation is a philanthropic organisation and long-term shareholder of the global investment organization EQT, founded by partners at EQT.

The Foundation supports scientists and entrepreneurs bringing breakthrough solutions from lab to market, combining EQT’s expertise with catalytic investments and grants. With a focus on supporting scientific progress in underfunded areas of climate and health, the Foundation provides a learning platform for EQT employees to develop and work collaboratively across the globe, while engaging in philanthropy and making a positive impact.

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