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 $500 million to expand U.S. critical mineral and materials processing and derivative battery manufacturing and recycling.

Assistant Secretary of Energy (EERE) Audrey Robertson is currently in Japan meeting with regional allies at the Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial and Business Forum (IPEM) to advance shared efforts on supply chain resilience and energy security issues. Her engagements at IPEM underscore the importance of close cooperation with partners as the United States strengthens its supply chain through this NOFO.

NOFO NUMBER: DE-FOA-0003585

FUNDING AMOUNT: $500 million

WEBINAR: 3/26/2026 at 1 p.m. ET

“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,” said U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright. “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.”

This is the third round of funding issued through DOE’s Battery Materials Processing and Battery Manufacturing and Recycling programs. DOE is seeking projects in the following topic areas for applicants:

• Domestic Critical Minerals Processing from Raw Feedstocks
• Domestic Critical Materials Recycling
• Domestic Battery Materials and Component Manufacturing

A webinar with additional information on this funding opportunity will be held at 1 p.m. ET on March 26, 2026. Register for the informational webinar.

Non-binding letters of intent are requested by 5 p.m. ET on March 27, 2026, to assist the Department in planning for the review process. Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. ET on April 24, 2026.