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New funding aims to strengthen domestic rare earth supply chains, reduce reliance on foreign sources, and advance U.S. energy security.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for up to $134 million to enhance domestic supply chains for rare earth elements (REEs). Through this funding, DOE will support projects that demonstrate the commercial viability of recovering and refining REEs from unconventional feedstocks including mine tailings, e-waste, and other waste materials. These efforts will reduce America’s dependence on foreign sources, strengthen national security, and promote American energy independence.
This funding opportunity stems from DOE’s Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation’s Rare Earth Demonstration Facility program, which is designed to demonstrate full-scale integrated rare earth extraction and separation facilities within the United States. This NOFO follows a Notice of Intent released in August 2025.
A webinar with additional information on this funding opportunity will be held at 1 p.m. ET on Dec. 9, 2025. Join the webinar here.
Non-binding, non-mandatory letters of intent are requested by Dec. 10, 2025, at 5 p.m. ET to assist the Department in planning for the review process. Full applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 5, 2026.
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