The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that its Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation is making up to $134 million available to support domestic supply chains for rare earth elements (REEs). The funding, offered through a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), aims to back projects that demonstrate the commercial feasibility of recovering and refining REEs from sources such as mine tailings, electronic waste, and other materials typically considered waste.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright stated, “For too long, the United States has relied on foreign nations for the minerals and materials that power our economy. We have these resources here at home, but years of complacency ceded America’s mining and industrial base to other nations. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, we are reversing that trend, rebuilding America’s ability to mine, process, and manufacture the materials essential to our energy and economic security.”
This funding initiative is part of DOE’s Rare Earth Demonstration Facility program. The program is designed to showcase full-scale integrated rare earth extraction and separation facilities within the United States. The NOFO follows a previous Notice of Intent released by the department in August.
Rare earth elements like Praseodymium, Neodymium, Terbium, and Dysprosium play a key role in advanced manufacturing sectors including defense systems and high-performance magnets used in power generation and electric motors. By investing in domestic REE recovery and processing capabilities, DOE seeks to secure U.S. energy independence, strengthen economic competitiveness, and build resilience in national supply chains.
A webinar providing more information about this funding opportunity will take place at 1:00 PM ET on December 9, 2025. Non-binding letters of intent are requested by December 10 at 5:00 PM ET. Full applications are due by January 5, 2026.
