Magnetic Acceleration Generating New Innovations and Tactical Outcomes (MAGNITO)

The Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E), part of the U.S. Department of Energy, has released Notice of Funding Opportunity DE-FOA-0003590 titled Magnetic Acceleration Generating New Innovations and Tactical Outcomes (MAGNITO). ARPA-E was established to enhance the United States’ energy and economic security by supporting the development of advanced energy technologies that reduce reliance on foreign energy, improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and maintain U.S. leadership in energy innovation. This program reflects ARPA-E’s mission to fund high-risk, high-reward projects that could create entirely new technological learning curves and disruptive market impacts. The MAGNITO program focuses on the discovery, synthesis, and characterization of new magnetic materials that are more powerful than current state-of-the-art magnets. Today’s strongest magnets are based on rare earth alloys such as neodymium-iron-boron and samarium-cobalt, which are widely used in motors, generators, and electronics but are constrained by material supply risks and performance limitations. ARPA-E is seeking transformative advances that surpass these materials, with the potential to dramatically reduce motor and generator size, improve efficiency, cut costs, and diversify critical material supply chains. Successful projects will leverage computational physics, artificial intelligence, solid-state chemistry, and novel high-throughput fabrication and testing methods. Applicants must address aggressive performance targets. Proposed materials should demonstrate either a magnetic flux density greater than 2.5 Tesla or a maximum energy product exceeding 800 kJ/m³, significantly beyond current benchmarks. They must also prove manufacturability by reliably producing at least 1 cm³ of material pellets and demonstrate Curie temperatures above 200°C for practical motor use. Cost considerations are also essential, with a target of less than $1,000 per kilogram. Projects should include techno-economic analyses, consider supply chain availability, and anticipate potential applications, even though ARPA-E does not expect engineering-scale system demonstrations under this program. The funding opportunity will award approximately $20 million across this program and a companion solicitation (DE-FOA-0003591), with an anticipated 6 to 10 awards ranging between $500,000 and $3 million each. ARPA-E requires cost sharing, typically 20 percent of total project cost, although reduced requirements are available for small businesses, nonprofits, and educational institutions. Large businesses are encouraged to provide more than the minimum 20 percent cost share. All applicants must plan to perform their work within the United States unless granted a waiver. Recipients must also commit at least 5 percent of ARPA-E funding to Technology Transfer and Outreach activities. Eligibility is broad, including individuals, domestic higher education institutions, nonprofits, for-profit entities, national laboratories, consortia, and state, local, and tribal governments as team members. However, restrictions apply to entities or individuals with foreign ties to designated countries of concern such as China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia. Federal agencies other than DOE are eligible only as subrecipients or team members. Consortia must designate a U.S.-incorporated representative and provide governance documentation. All applicants must also comply with cost sharing, reporting, intellectual property, and financial management requirements. The application process involves a mandatory concept paper stage followed by full applications for those encouraged to apply. Concept papers, limited to four pages, must be submitted along with a required summary slide. Full applications require a technical volume, SF-424, budget justification, business assurances and disclosures, and a summary for public release. Replies to reviewer comments are optional. Applications must be submitted through ARPA-E eXCHANGE, and applicants are responsible for maintaining SAM.gov registration and obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier. The key deadlines begin with the concept paper due on September 24, 2025. Encourage or discourage notifications will be issued by October 28, 2025. Full application deadlines will be announced, with selections expected in February 2026 and awards in June 2026. The anticipated period of performance is three years, from June 2026 through June 2029. Questions must be submitted via ARPA-E-CO@hq.doe.gov, while technical system questions should be directed to ExchangeHelp@hq.doe.gov. Once the NOFO is issued, communication with ARPA-E is restricted to the designated Grants Officer until selections are publicly announced.