What are critical minerals?

Critical minerals are raw materials essential to economic and national security with supply chains vulnerable to disruption. The USGS maintains the official list, which includes 50 minerals as of 2025: rare earth elements, lithium, cobalt, graphite, nickel, and others vital for electronics, batteries, defense, and clean energy.

How much federal funding is available for critical minerals?

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act authorized over $10 billion for domestic critical minerals supply chains. Actual grant availability varies by year and program. Current open opportunities on Funding Landscape represent a subset actively accepting applications.

Can small businesses apply for critical minerals grants?

Yes, though options vary. Some DOE programs include small business eligibility. SBIR/STTR programs historically funded critical minerals R&D but are currently pending Congressional reauthorization. Check specific opportunity eligibility requirements.

What's the difference between critical minerals and rare earth elements?

Rare earth elements are a specific group of 17 metallic elements used in magnets, electronics, and batteries. They're a subset of critical minerals. Critical minerals is the broader category including rare earths plus lithium, cobalt, graphite, and dozens of other materials.

Are there state-level critical minerals programs?

Yes. States with mining activity often have their own programs. Idaho, Nevada, Wyoming, and others offer grants, tax incentives, or technical assistance for mineral development. Funding Landscape aggregates state opportunities alongside federal programs.

Critical Minerals and Rare Earth Funding: Federal Grants and Programs

The Critical Minerals Funding Landscape

Federal investment in critical minerals has accelerated dramatically. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and Inflation Reduction Act together authorized billions for domestic supply chain development. The Department of Energy's Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC) leads most funding programs. Critical minerals include lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, rare earth elements, and dozens of other materials essential for batteries, electronics, defense systems, and clean energy technologies. The 2025 USGS Critical Minerals List identifies 50 minerals considered critical to U.S. economic and national security. Funding Landscape currently tracks approximately 20 open opportunities related to critical minerals and rare earth elements, primarily grants from DOE and related agencies.

DOE Critical Minerals Programs

The Department of Energy runs the largest critical minerals funding programs. Key areas include: Extraction and Processing: Grants for developing domestic mining and refining capacity for critical minerals. The Rare Earth Elements Demonstration Facility program is currently accepting applications. Battery Materials: Funding for lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite supply chains to support electric vehicle and grid storage manufacturing. Recycling and Recovery: Programs supporting battery recycling, e-waste processing, and secondary recovery of critical minerals from industrial processes. Research and Development: National lab partnerships and university grants for advancing extraction technologies, alternative materials, and processing efficiency.

Current Open Opportunities

As of January 2026, notable open critical minerals opportunities include: DOE Rare Earth Elements Demonstration Facility (DE-FOA-0003587) - Deadline January 20, 2026. Major grant program from the Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains for rare earth processing demonstration projects. NETL eXCHANGE - Ongoing funding opportunities for critical minerals research through the National Energy Technology Laboratory. Idaho Energy and Mineral Summit - State-level program supporting energy and mineral resource development. Search Funding Landscape for 'critical minerals' or 'rare earth' to see the complete current list with deadlines and eligibility details.

Who Can Apply

Critical minerals funding varies by program but typically targets: Industry: Mining companies, mineral processors, battery manufacturers, and recycling facilities. Many programs prioritize domestic production capacity. Research Institutions: Universities and national laboratories for R&D programs. Often requires industry partnerships. State and Local Governments: Some programs fund public infrastructure for mineral processing or support economic development in mining regions. Small Businesses: SBIR/STTR programs (when active) and some DOE programs include small business set-asides. Check current SBIR status as programs are pending reauthorization.

Finding Critical Minerals Opportunities

On Funding Landscape, search for specific minerals or program types: Broad searches: 'critical minerals', 'rare earth elements', 'battery materials' Specific minerals: 'lithium grants', 'cobalt funding', 'graphite' Program types: 'DOE MESC', 'mineral processing', 'battery recycling' Filter by deadline to prioritize urgent opportunities like the January 2026 DOE rare earth demonstration facility grant. Many critical minerals opportunities also appear under broader energy or manufacturing categories, so combining searches helps ensure complete coverage.