Prepared by: Nate Dimelfi
Nate is a Senior Research Analyst in McAllister & Quinn’s Advanced Technology practice, providing analytical and organizational support to projects and clients. Nate also leads the Emerging and Critical Technologies Working Group, fostering collaboration and thought leadership on cutting-edge technology trends.
Department of Energy Continues Investments in Critical Minerals
On April 7, 2026, the Department of Energy through the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO) and the Office of Geothermal (OG) announced the Critical Minerals and Materials Accelerator (CMMA) program. CMMA program sets aside $69 million for RDT&E of innovative bench-scale critical mineral and rare earth element processing techniques and technologies and get them through the valley-of-death through three main topic areas:
- Topic Area 1 primarily focuses on critical mineral extraction from manufacturing, industrial, and consumer scrap.
- Topic Area 2 aims to fund projects that refine and alloy gallium, gallium nitride, germanium, and silicon carbide at a semiconductor application level
- Topic Area 3 targets projects that deliver cost-competitive technologies and processes for lithium extraction, separation, a processing.
The Department of Energy will be hosting a webinar for the funding opportunity on April 16 at 11:30am ET: Register Here
Eligibility
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Institutions of Higher Education
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Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) | NOT ELIGIBLE AS PRIME RECIPIENTS for Topic Areas 1, 2, and 3A
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For-profit Organizations
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Non-profit organizations
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State and local government entities
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Indian tribes
Topic Area 1: Production And Material Efficiency for Critical Materials Including Rare Earth Elements ($24 Million)
Application Due: May 26, 2026
- Total awards: 10-14
- Award Size (per project): ≤ $2,000,000
Topic Area 1 Categories:
- Sub-topic 1A: Recovery and production from postindustrial manufacturing scrap
- Sub-topic 1B: Recovery and production from postconsumer scrap
- Sub-topic 1C: Recovery and production from combinations of feedstocks including mine tailings, postindustrial scrap, and postconsumer scrap
Topic Area 2: Processes To Refine and Alloy Gallium, Gallium Nitride, Germanium, And Silicon Carbide for Use in Semiconductors ($6 Million)
Application Due: June 22, 2026
- Total awards: 1-5
- Award Size (per project): ≤ $2,000,000
Topic Area 3: Cost-Competitive Direct Lithium Extraction, Separation, and Processing, Exploration, and Co-Production
Application Due: July 20, 2026
Topic Area 3A: Cost-competitive direct lithium extraction ($8 million)
- Total awards: 4-6
- Award Size (per project): ≤ $2,000,000
Topic Area 3B: Advancing pre- and post- treatment and disposal technologies for direct lithium extraction of geothermal brines ($9 million)
- Total awards: 3-9
- Award Size (per project): $1,000,000 – $3,000,000
Topic Area 3B: Exploration and characterization of critical materials and rare earth elements (REEs) from volcanic-hosted geothermal systems ($6 million)
- Total awards: 3-9
- Award Size (per project): $1,000,000 – $3,000,000
Ready to Submit Your Critical Minerals Application?
Navigating the application process for a DOE grant can be overwhelming. McAllister & Quinn’s expert proposal teams and world-class consultant network have helped our clients secure over $1.8 billion from the Department of Energy. If you have questions about the process of applying or require support in drafting or reviewing your application package, we stand ready to assist. Contact us today for a free consultation.
