DOE Announces $134 Million for Rare Earth Supply Chains

DOE Funding Announcements

Published December 1st, 2025

Detected March 5th, 2026

Summary

The U.S. Department of Energy announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity for up to $134 million to strengthen domestic rare earth element supply chains. The funding aims to support projects demonstrating commercial viability of recovering and refining rare earth elements from waste materials, reducing dependence on foreign sources.

View original document View source feed page

What changed

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for up to $134 million to enhance domestic supply chains for rare earth elements (REEs). This initiative, managed by the Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI), will fund projects focused on the commercial viability of recovering and refining REEs from unconventional feedstocks such as mine tailings and e-waste. The goal is to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign sources, bolster national security, and promote American energy independence.

Companies and research institutions interested in participating must submit non-binding letters of intent by December 10, 2025, and full applications by January 5, 2026. A webinar detailing the opportunity is scheduled for December 9, 2025. While this is a funding opportunity and not a direct regulatory mandate, successful applicants will be expected to demonstrate commercial viability and contribute to the nation's critical minerals supply chain resilience. Failure to secure funding or meet project milestones could impact a company's ability to participate in future government-supported initiatives in this sector.

What to do next

Review funding opportunity details for eligibility and project requirements.
Submit a letter of intent by December 10, 2025, if planning to apply.
Prepare and submit full applications by January 5, 2026.

Source document (simplified)

Energy Department Announces $134 Million in Funding to Strengthen Rare Earth Element Supply Chains, Advancing American Energy Independence

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation today announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity for up to $134 million to enhance domestic supply chains for rare earth elements.

Energy.gov

December 1, 2025

WASHINGTON —The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) today 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.

“For too long, the United States has relied on foreign nations for the minerals and materials that power our economy,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “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 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 the Department’s Notice of Intent released in August.

REEs, such as Praseodymium, Neodymium, Terbium and Dysprosium, are vital components in advanced manufacturing, defense systems, and high-performance magnets used in power generation and electric motors. By investing in domestic REE recovery and processing, DOE is working to secure America’s energy independence, strengthen economic competitiveness, and ensure long-term resilience in the nation’s supply chains.

A webinar with additional information on this funding opportunity will be held at 1:00 PM ET on December 9, 2025. The webinar can be joined here.

Non-binding, non-mandatory letters of intent are requested by December 10, 2025, at 5:00 PM ET to assist the Department in planning for the review process. Full applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM ET on January 5, 2026.

View Next Press Release NNSA Demonstrates Swift Action on Genesis Mission

December 1, 2025

View Previous Press Release Under Secretary Gil’s Letter to the Community

November 28, 2025

Tags:
- Manufacturing
- Advanced Manufacturing Processes
- Critical Materials and Minerals
- Supply Chains
- Funding Opportunities