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Multi-step process: LOI due April 21, 2026; Topic Area 1 applications due May 26, 2026; Topic Area 2 due June 22, 2026; Topic Area 3 (final) due July 20, 2026. Stored deadline of 2026-05-01 appears to match only the Topic Area 1 deadline. NOFO issued April 7, 2026.
Critical Minerals and Materials Accelerator is a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that funds American industry-led partnerships to prototype and pilot innovative critical minerals processing technologies at pre-commercial scale.
The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), announced April 7, 2026, makes up to $69 million available across four topic areas: recovery from post-industrial and post-consumer scrap, processing of gallium, germanium, and silicon carbide, direct lithium extraction, and critical materials from geothermal systems.
The program targets technologies proven at bench scale to help them mature toward commercial viability and attract private capital. Eligible applicants include industry partners, research institutions, and universities. Specific application deadlines are provided in the NOFO.
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Critical Minerals and Materials Accelerator | Department of Energy Critical Minerals and Materials Accelerator Light Text on a Dark Overlay (Default) Notice of Funding Opportunity: Critical Minerals and Materials Accelerator Funding amount: Up to $69,000,000 On April 7, 2026, the Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO), in partnership with the Office of Geothermal, announced a “Critical Minerals and Materials Accelerator” Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) of up to $69 million.
The NOFO will focus investments on American, industry-led partnerships to prototype and pilot innovative critical materials processing technologies that are currently only proven at the bench scale to address challenges in high-impact areas. The program establishes a pipeline that will support technology maturation to ultimately unlock private capital investments.
It will also leverage other DOE lab-based investments, such as the Critical Materials Innovation (CMI) Hub and the Minerals to Materials Supply Chain Research Facility (METALLIC). This NOFO will help ensure a more secure, predictable, and affordable supply of critical minerals and materials that are foundational to American energy dominance, national security, and industrial competitiveness.
The NOFO includes the following topic areas: Topic Area 1 : Production and material efficiency for critical materials, including rare earth elements (REEs).
Inclusive of the following sub-topics: 1A: Recovery and production from postindustrial manufacturing scrap 1B: Recovery and production from postconsumer scrap (with an emphasis on electronic waste and drivetrains) 1C: Recovery and production from blended feedstocks including mine tailings, postindustrial scrap, and postconsumer scrap Topic Area 2 : Processes to refine and alloy gallium, gallium nitride, germanium, and silicon carbide.
Topic Area 3 : Cost-competitive direct lithium extraction, separation, and processing.
Inclusive of the following sub-topics: 3A: Cost-competitive direct lithium extraction 3B: Advancing pre- and post- treatment and disposal technologies for direct lithium extraction 3C: Exploration and characterization of critical materials and REEs from volcanic-hosted geothermal systems This NOFO is one of several totaling nearly $1 billion that will advance and scale mining, processing, and manufacturing technologies across key stages of the critical minerals and materials supply chains.
An informational webinar will be hosted on April 16, 2026, at 11:30 a. m. ET to discuss this funding opportunity as well as the application requirements.
Attending the informational webinar is not mandatory and will not positively or negatively impact the overall review of any applicant submissions.
Notice of Funding Opportunity Issue Date 4/7/2026 Informational Webinar 4/16/2026 Required Letter of Intent Deadline for All Topic Areas 4/21/2026 Application Deadline – Topic Area 1 5/26/2026 Application Deadline – Topic Area 2 6/22/2026 Application Deadline – Topic Area 3 7/20/2026 Anticipated Selection Notification Date July – August 2026 Anticipated Award Date September – December 2026 Estimated Period of Performance December 2026 – December 2029 Teaming Partner List DOE is compiling a Teaming Partner List to facilitate the formation of project teams for this NOFO.
The Teaming Partner List allows organizations that may wish to participate in a project to explore potential partnerships with other applicants. The Teaming Partner List will be available on eXCHANGE and will be regularly updated.
Topic Area 1: eXCHANGE: Funding Opportunity DE-TA1-0003589 Topic Area 2: eXCHANGE: Funding Opportunity DE-TA2-0003589 Topic Area 3: eXCHANGE: Funding Opportunity DE-TA3-0003589 Questions about the initiative can be submitted to cmmacceleratornofo@ee. doe. gov
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: American, industry-led partnerships; collaborative industry partnerships. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows up to $69,000,000. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
The published deadline was July 23, 2026, which has passed. Check the official notice for any future application windows before investing time in a proposal.
Funding Opportunity to Strengthen American Critical Minerals and Materials Supply Chain (Critical Minerals and Materials Accelerator) is funded by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
Yes — this listing is flagged as national in scope, so applicants across the U.S. may apply, subject to the sponsor's other eligibility criteria.
Applications go through the funder's official portal — the Apply Now link on this page goes there directly.
Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) program (NOFO: DE-FOA-0003554) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) from the Department of Energy's Office of Science aims to accelerate breakthroughs in critical minerals, quantum computing, and advanced manufacturing through fundamental energy technology research.
Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRCs) (DE-FOA-0003614) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). This program supports fundamental research at Energy Frontier Research Centers to accelerate scientific breakthroughs in areas underpinning energy technologies, including alternative energy. Pre-applications are due April 1, 2026.
DoD Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI) is sponsored by Department of Defense (DoD) - Office of Naval Research (ONR). The Multidisciplinary Research Program of the University Research Initiative (MURI), administered by the Department of Defense Office of Naval Research, supports basic research in science and engineering at U. S.
SBIR SF254-D1206: Knowledge-Guided Test and Evaluation Frameworks for proliferated Low Earth Orbit Constellations is sponsored by U.S. Air Force. DOD SBIR topic SF254-D1206: Knowledge-Guided Test and Evaluation Frameworks for proliferated Low Earth Orbit Constellations. Component: U.S. Air Force. Command: SDA. Solicitation: DoD SBIR 2025.4. Phase(s): D2PII, II, SPII. Status: Pre-Release. Open date: 3/4/2026.
The Department of Energy attached its small-business program to the Genesis Mission on July 22, 2026 — opening a $10 million Phase I opportunity across four AI-for-science topic areas closing September 10, plus roughly $147 million in Phase II funding for prior awardees. Here is what the four topics fund, how the redesigned 'faster, simpler' program changes the math for founders, and how to move on a tight window.
Read articleOn July 22, 2026, the Department of Energy opened its FY26 Genesis Mission SBIR/STTR round — roughly 40 Phase I awards across four topic areas (biotech, quantum, materials, and autonomous labs), a $147 million Phase II pool, and a September 10 pitch deadline. This is how small businesses get inside the $5 billion Genesis Mission. Here is what each topic funds, how the money and timeline work, and the concrete strategy to compete.
Read articleOn July 22, 2026, the White House announced more than $5 billion in federal commitments for the Genesis Mission — the Department of Energy-led national initiative to fuse AI, exascale computing, and the 17 national labs into a single scientific platform. Nearly 300 projects across all 50 states were selected from a historic Request for Applications, and 15-plus agencies are now attaching funding to a set of National Science and Technology Challenges. Here is what the Genesis Mission is, how the money is structured, and the concrete on-ramps for researchers, universities, and small businesses who were not in the first cohort.
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