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Estimated read time: 6 minutes.
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On August 7, 2026, at an event hosted by the State Department, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) announced up to $100 million for the Providing Opportunities for Specialized Education in Critical Technologies (PROSPECT) program. In the near term, PROSPECT aims to double the number of graduates with degrees related to mining, minerals, and associated supply chain technologies within two years. In the long term, PROSPECT will support the implementation of new curricula, teaching tools, financial-aid programs, and other incentives that promote continued growth in these fields.
PROSPECT will fund efforts to attract and train students for careers that directly support the domestic production, processing, recovery, and recycling of critical minerals. For more program information and ongoing updates, see the PROSPECT page.
At a recent July 2026 workshop, METALLIC was announced as a nationwide, integrated research facility for advancing critical minerals and materials technologies, with the METALLIC Industry Partnership Program (MIPP) to serve as the primary front door for industry engagement. In attendance was Assistant Secretary of Energy Audrey Robertson, who delivered remarks, as well as CM3’s Chief of Staff Jeremy Mehta and Senior Advisor of CM3’s Advanced Mining and Mineral Production Technologies Office Devinn Lambert.
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DOE recently announced the winning teams for the Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Prize Breakthrough Contest, awarding eight teams for their solutions to address challenges within the lithium-ion battery recycling landscape. These winning teams will each be awarded $200,000 in recognition of their innovative proposals and advance to Phase IV of the competition, during which teams will receive $100,000 in noncash vouchers to support the validation and evaluation of their proposals. Phase IV will culminate with a $1 million cash prize awarded to one ‘grand prize’ winner, and up to $3 million distributed among up to four runner-up teams.
Learn more about the eight winning teams and how this prize is accelerating battery recycling solutions to strengthen U.S. critical mineral supply chains.
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AI is accelerating breakthroughs across critical minerals, materials, and manufacturing, and CM3 is at the center of that momentum. Under DOE’s Genesis Mission, three CM3 offices received selections that advance core supply‑chain priorities.
- The Advanced Mining and Mineral Production Technologies Office (AMMPT) is backing resource mapping and mineral extraction research that strengthens domestic critical mineral capabilities.
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The Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO) is supporting AI‑enabled smart manufacturing, materials discovery, and new extraction and processing technologies.
- The Analysis and Strategy Office (ASO) is funding economic modeling and market analysis that helps industry understand supply‑chain risks and opportunities.
Together, these awards demonstrate how CM3 is applying advanced AI to real‑world challenges across mining, materials, and manufacturing for a more robust domestic energy system.
DOE recently announced the 2026 cohort of the Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program (LEEP) to develop their startup or technology at DOE National Laboratories. This program will provide the 29 selected innovators access to world-class facilities, technical expertise, mentorship, and commercialization resources. CM3 offices are sponsoring 15 of these projects focused on technology that enables the entire supply chain.
LEEP addresses critical gaps in the domestic energy workforce by providing fellowships and two-year institutional homes where talented innovators are equipped with the proper resources to become first-time entrepreneurs positioned for long-term success.
As CMEI expands public-private partnerships across its portfolio, LEEP alumni continue to showcase the benefits of collaboration with DOE. Check out some examples.
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