The U.S. Department of Energy announced on Mar. 13 a Notice of Funding Opportunity for up to $500 million to expand domestic processing, manufacturing, and recycling of critical minerals and battery materials.
This funding aims to strengthen the United States' supply chain for batteries used in defense, grid resilience, transportation, manufacturing, and other industries. The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to reduce reliance on foreign sources for essential materials needed in advanced technologies.
U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said, "For too long, the United States has relied on hostile foreign actors to supply and process the critical materials that are essential in battery manufacturing and materials processing. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Energy is playing a leading role in strengthening these domestic industries that will position the U.S. to win the AI race, meeting rising energy demand, and achieve energy dominance." Assistant Secretary of Energy Audrey Robertson added from Japan, where she is attending the Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial and Business Forum: "I am delighted to be in Japan meeting with our allies, underscoring the important connection between critical materials and energy security. Critical minerals processing is a vital component of our nation’s critical minerals supply base. Boosting domestic production, including through recycling, will bolster national security and ensure the United States and our partners are prepared to meet the energy challenges of the 21st century."
The funding opportunity supports demonstration or commercial facilities focused on processing raw feedstocks into battery-grade materials; recycling scrap or end-of-life batteries; and increasing domestic capacity for strategic battery components. A webinar providing more information will be held at 1:00 PM ET on March 26.
This announcement follows previous DOE initiatives such as a July 2022 program providing $225 million for implementing building energy codes funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law according to the Department of Energy. In addition, U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm encouraged international cooperation toward clean energy transitions at last year’s Global Clean Energy Action Forum as shown in a DOE video.
Technology development remains central to DOE missions; William White from DOE's Office of Environmental Management highlighted national laboratory involvement in cleanup operations during congressional testimony according to DOE. The department also applies innovative processes such as using crushed marble at Savannah River Site to address groundwater issues as reported by DOE.
DOE continues its support for decarbonizing transportation with a $96 million funding opportunity announced last July aimed at expanding electric vehicle charging infrastructure and advancing cleaner engine technologies according to DOE. Furthermore, 146 programs have been launched under President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative to direct federal investments toward disadvantaged communities as stated by DOE.
Non-binding letters of intent for this new funding round are requested by March 27 at 5:00 p.m., with applications due by April 24.
