Rare Earth Elements Demonstration Facility
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- DE-FOA-0003587
- Agency
-
National Energy Technology Lab
Department of Energy
- Applications due
- Award size
- $67,000,000 to $134,000,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Cooperative Agreement
- Category
-
- Energy Infrastructure and Critical Mineral and Materials (EICMM)
- Eligible applicants
-
- Other
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) is soliciting applications for a Rare Earth Elements (REE) Demonstration Facility through a cooperative agreement under the Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chain Demonstrations and Commercial Applications program. The primary objective is to design, construct, commission, and operate a facility that can separate rare earth elements from acid mine drainage, mine waste, or other deleterious materials, with the goal of producing rare earth oxides and refining them into rare earth metals at a single site. Applicants must demonstrate capabilities in processing critical minerals and supporting domestic energy infrastructure. The evaluation criteria will be detailed in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), with applications undergoing an objective merit review based on specific competitive solicitation criteria. Key dates include a Letter of Intent deadline of December 17, 2025, an application deadline of January 20, 2026, and anticipated selection and award dates in February and April 2026, respectively.
While specific award values are not explicitly stated, the Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chain Demonstrations program typically provides grants ranging from $50,000 to $500 million, with project periods spanning 12-36 months. The demonstration facility is expected to be located at a single site capable of processing REE feedstock from mining waste or similar sources. This opportunity aligns with broader Department of Energy goals to strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities, reduce foreign dependencies in critical mineral supply chains, and support the transition to a decarbonized energy system. The project falls under the newly established Energy Infrastructure and Critical Mineral and Materials (EICMM) funding category, emphasizing the strategic importance of developing domestic rare earth element processing capabilities.
Synopsis
3 versions
Update #3 · Latest ·
Modification 0001: The purpose of this modification is to extend the Letter of Intent Deadline from December 10, 2025 to December 17, 2025; extend the Application Deadline from January 5, 2026 to January 20, 2026; extend the Anticipated Selection Notification Date from January 2026 to February 2026 and extend the Anticipated Award Date from March 2026 to April 2026. -
The Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) is issuing this NOFO to request applications for projects to design, construct, commission and operate a Rare Earth Element (REE) Demonstration Facility that demonstrates the separation of REEs from feedstock derived from acid mine drainage, mine waste, or other deleterious materials to rare earth oxides and refining into rare earth metals at a single site.
Update #2 ·
This modification categorizes this announcement under a new Funding Activity Category titled Energy Infrastructure and Critical Mineral and Materials (EICMM) that has recently been added to Grants.gov in an effort to comply with the Presidential Memorandum, "Simplifying the Funding of Energy Infrastructure and Critical Mineral and Material Projects". There are no changes to the NOFO. -
The Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) is issuing this NOFO to request applications for projects to design, construct, commission and operate a Rare Earth Element (REE) Demonstration Facility that demonstrates the separation of REEs from feedstock derived from acid mine drainage, mine waste, or other deleterious materials to rare earth oxides and refining into rare earth metals at a single site.
Update #1 ·
The Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) is issuing this NOFO to request applications for projects to design, construct, commission and operate a Rare Earth Element (REE) Demonstration Facility that demonstrates the separation of REEs from feedstock derived from acid mine drainage, mine waste, or other deleterious materials to rare earth oxides and refining into rare earth metals at a single site.
On GovTribe
Work this opportunity
- Track it in your pipeline
- Find teaming partners
- Similar grant opportunities
- Ask GovTribe AI about this opportunity