Modification 03: - inserted certain deadlines and updated dates, including the deadlines for submitting questions and full applications, see cover page, required documents checklist, and selection for…

The Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency awarded the Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York a $2.069 million Cooperative Agreement on April 8, 2026, under the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy program (CFDA 81.135) to support the RECOVER (Realize Energy-Rich Compound Opportunities Valorizing Extraction from Refuse Waters) initiative.

Columbia University develops technologies to concentrate and recover high-value energy materials—ammonia, phosphorus, critical metals, and rare earth elements—from aqueous waste streams including municipal wastewater, animal feedlot retention basins, oil and gas flowback water, and mining drainage. The work targets a 30 percent reduction in energy demand and a 70 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional production of these materials, while enabling domestic sourcing to enhance energy security and create new revenue streams for waste stream processors.

The period of performance runs from April 8, 2026, through April 7, 2029. Work is performed in New York, New York. The program supports high-potential, high-impact energy technologies too early for private-sector investment under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.

Modification 03: - inserted certain deadlines and updated dates, including the deadlines for submitting questions and full applications, see cover page, required documents checklist, and selection for award negotiations. - updated total anticipated federal funds for the program. - inserted information about indirect cost cap at 15% of total project costs, see funding restrictions. - inserted information about due diligence review for research, technology and economic security, see application review. - updated definition of 'project team' and 'participation', see eligible applicants; updated definition of 'covered individuals', see glossary. - updated guidance on submitting a summary slide, business assurances and disclosures form, budget justification workbook/SF-424A, and reply to reviewer comments, see application contents and format. - added information regarding exchange login using enhanced identity proofing, see use of arpa-e exchange. DE-FOA-0003510 - realize energy-rich compound opportunities valorizing extraction from refuse waters to obtain a copy of the notice of funding opportunity (nofo) please go to arpa-e exchange at https://arpa-e-FOA.energy.GOV. To apply to this nofo, applicants must register with and submit application materials through arpa-e exchange (https://arpa-e-FOA.energy.GOV/registration.aspx). For detailed guidance on using arpa-e exchange, please refer to the arpa-e exchange user guide (https://arpa-e-FOA.energy.GOV/manuals.aspx). Arpa-e will not review or consider application materials submitted through other means. For problems with arpa-e exchange, email