The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through its Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) and in collaboration with the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), has released a funding opportunity titled "Mine of the Future - Proving Ground Initiative" under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). This initiative seeks to support the development of specialized field-scale proving grounds to validate, de-risk, and accelerate the commercialization of advanced mining technologies critical to securing domestic supply chains of critical minerals and materials (CMM). These facilities will serve as national resources for testing innovative mining systems, fostering partnerships among industry, academia, and government entities.
The goal is to establish up to four mining technology proving grounds that offer physical infrastructure, technical capability, and operating environments to advance technologies from lab-scale to field-scale. Applicants are required to propose both the creation of a proving ground and one to two mine technology projects for demonstration. Eligible projects must address Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 2–6 and show clear potential to progress by at least one TRL during the award. These awards will prioritize technologies in resource exploration, processing, and mining operations that reduce waste, improve safety, and promote environmental sustainability.
DOE anticipates awarding up to $80 million in total, with individual awards ranging from $5 million to $40 million, depending on the proposed scope and scale. A 20% non-federal cost share is required, and the total performance period is up to 48 months, structured across three budget periods. The proving ground phase is emphasized in the first two periods, while the mine technology demonstration follows in the third. Selected applicants must comply with strict environmental and safety regulations, incorporate modular and scalable testing platforms, and include capabilities for autonomous operations, real-time monitoring, and workforce training.
The program targets U.S.-based institutions including higher education, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, state and local governments, and tribal entities. Foreign entities may participate only with approved waivers. All work must be performed within the United States unless a foreign work waiver is granted. Applicants must also demonstrate operational readiness, robust data integration systems, and the ability to engage with local communities and develop skilled mining workforces.
Applications must be submitted via the DOE’s NETL eXCHANGE portal by December 15, 2025. Pre-registration in SAM.gov, Grants.gov, and eXCHANGE is mandatory. While no LOI or concept paper is required, applicants should allow time to meet pre-submission registration requirements. Anticipated selection is in January 2026, with conditional awards by late January and full awards in June 2026. Contacts for questions include the program inbox DE-FOA-0003390@netl.doe.gov.
Include a strong technology readiness level (TRL) advancement plan; emphasize environmental compliance; budget with accurate cost share; design facilities for modular, scalable operations; align projects with workforce development goals.
