Novel Approaches to Critical Minerals Research in the Geosciences (GEO-CM)

Novel Approaches to Critical Minerals Research in the Geosciences (GEO-CM) is sponsored by National Science Foundation (NSF). This program invites proposals on fundamental research to facilitate the discovery, characterization, extraction, and separation of critical minerals, including essential metals and rare earth elements, to achieve a clean-energy future.

Research topics include understanding geologic and geochemical processes of critical mineral formation, advancing in-situ biogeochemical processes for mobilization, concentrating, and separating critical minerals, and developing innovative prospecting approaches.

Novel Approaches to Critical Minerals Research in the Geosciences (GEO-CM) | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation Important information for proposers and award recipients All proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements specified in the funding opportunity and in the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and its supplements .

All NSF grants and cooperative agreements are subject to the applicable set of NSF award terms and conditions . NSF has updated its research security policies for NSF funded projects.

Novel Approaches to Critical Minerals Research in the Geosciences (GEO-CM) Invites proposals on fundamental research to facilitate discovery, characterization, extraction and separation of critical minerals such as essential metals and rare earth elements required to achieve a clean-energy future.

Invites proposals on fundamental research to facilitate discovery, characterization, extraction and separation of critical minerals such as essential metals and rare earth elements required to achieve a clean-energy future.

The National Science Foundation’s Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) Divisions of Earth Sciences (EAR), Ocean Sciences (OCE), and Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (AGS), as well as the Office of Polar Programs (OPP) encourage the submission of innovative, high-impact proposals on fundamental research to facilitate discovery, characterization, extraction, and separation of critical minerals , as noted in Section 10359 of the CHIPS and Science Act 2022 ( 42 U.S.C.

19067 ). Such research is a key component in ensuring availability of the essential metals and rare earth elements (REE) required for the Nation and world to achieve a clean-energy future through the transition to the New Green Economy and Net Zero Carbon. We encourage proposals that bring together academic researchers and experts from partner organizations, including those in relevant industries.

Research topics of interest include but are not limited to the following: Research leading to advanced understanding of the geologic and geochemical processes through which critical minerals form and are concentrated into economically viable deposits.

Research that advances our understanding of in situ biogeochemical processes that may lead to more efficient, economical, and environmentally sustainable approaches for mobilizing, concentrating, and separating critical minerals.

Research that leads to the development of innovative prospecting approaches/technologies to aid in the identification and characterization of critical mineral resources in Earth’s crust and/or on the ocean floor.

Research that advances understanding of the processes that control the leaching and concentration of critical minerals and associated contaminants from anthropogenically transformed geologic environments (e.g., mine tailings, oil fields, ash deposits fields, ash deposits).

Research related to sustainable use of water resources in regions where critical minerals are mined, particularly those susceptible to anthropogenic stressors and water scarcity.

Research leading to advanced understanding of how environmental contaminants from critical mineral exploration and extraction affect atmospheric and water quality, including effects on surface and groundwater systems and how subsurface stress and pore pressure redistribution may cause ground subsidence or induce seismicity.

Research advancing understanding of the biological / ecological impacts on Arctic plant and animal communities, and/or the socioeconomic impacts on human communities in the Arctic due to critical mineral exploration and extraction. Research proposals submitted in response to this DCL must fall within the scope of programs in the Directorate for Geosciences.

For example, proposals with a primary focus on optimizing engineering solutions, operations or management of engineered systems are not appropriate. Proposers are strongly encouraged to reach out to participating programs before submission to confirm programmatic fit.

Successful projects will include sustainable, creative, integrative, and effective broader impacts activities developed within the context of the mission, goals, and resources of the organizations involved, and should be reflected in the expertise of collaborators, the proposal budget, and budget justification.

Proposers are encouraged to integrate training and research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to prepare the next generation of scientists, researchers, and professionals with expertise in critical minerals. PROPOSAL PREPARATION, SUBMISSION, AND MERIT REVIEW Proposals submitted in response to this DCL should focus on fundamental science approaches and hypothesis-driven research.

They may be single- or multi-discipline, with innovative collaborative approaches being encouraged. This is not an announcement of a new funding opportunity; proposals should be submitted to the most relevant program participating in this DCL (see below). Projects that could benefit from co-review may be shared among multiple programs.

Proposals should be prepared and submitted in accordance with the general guidelines contained in the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and the relevant Program Description or Program Solicitation (see below). Proposals must have a title that is prefaced with "GEO-CM:" after any solicitation-specific title requirements to indicate that the proposal is to be considered in response to this DCL.

EAR Chemical Evolution of the Solid Earth and Volcanology (CESEV): https://www. nsf. gov/funding/opportunities/cesev-chemical-evolution-solid-earth-volcanology EAR Life and Environments through Time (LET): https://www.

nsf. gov/funding/opportunities/let-life-environments-through-time EAR Structure and Physics of the Solid Earth (SPSE): https://www. nsf.

gov/funding/opportunities/spse-structure-physics-solid-earth EAR Water, Landscape, and Critical Zone Processes (WaLCZ): https://www. nsf. gov/funding/opportunities/walcz-water-landscape-critical-zone-processes EAR Instrumentation and Facilities (EAR/IF): https://new.

nsf. gov/funding/opportunities/earth-sciences-instrumentation-facilities-earif OCE Marine Geology and Geophysics (MGG): https://new. nsf.

gov/funding/opportunities/marine-geology-geophysics-mgg OPP Arctic Research: https://new. nsf. gov/funding/opportunities/arctic-research-opportunities AGS Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (all relevant programs) https://www.

nsf. gov/funding/programs. jsp?

org=AGS Questions concerning this opportunity may be emailed to: In the Division of Earth Sciences: Proposals relevant to CESEV: Jennifer Wade, jwade@nsf. gov or cesev@nsf. gov Proposals relevant to LET: Margaret Fraiser, mfraiser@nsf.

gov or let@nsf. gov Proposals relevant to SPSE: Wendy Panero, wpanero@nsf. gov or spse@nsf.

gov Proposals relevant to WaLCZ: Laura Lautz, llautz@nsf. gov or walcz@nsf. gov Proposals relevant to EAR/IF: Andrew Frassetto, afrasset@nsf.

gov or earif@nsf. gov In the Division of Ocean Sciences: Proposals relevant to MGG: Gail Christeson, gchriste@nsf. gov or mgg@nsf.

gov In the Office of Polar Programs Section for Arctic Sciences, please contact ans@nsf. gov and assp@nsf. gov In the Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences: John Hannan, jhannan@nsf.

gov Assistant Director for Geosciences Office of Polar Programs (GEO/OPP) Division of Ocean Sciences (GEO/OCE) Division of Earth Sciences (GEO/EAR) Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences (GEO/AGS) Directorate for Geosciences (GEO)