The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation announced on December 1, 2025, a Notice of Funding Opportunity for up to $134 million to support domestic rare earth element supply chains. The funding, issued from DOE’s Rare Earth Demonstration Facility program, will back projects that demonstrate commercial viability of recovering and refining rare earth elements from unconventional feedstocks — including mine tailings, e-waste, and other waste materials.
What it means
The program is designed to demonstrate full-scale integrated rare earth extraction and separation facilities within the United States. The elements specifically cited — Praseodymium, Neodymium, Terbium, and Dysprosium — are described as vital components in advanced manufacturing, defense systems, and high-performance magnets used in power generation and electric motors. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in the announcement that “years of complacency ceded America’s mining and industrial base to other nations” and that the program is intended to rebuild domestic capacity to mine, process, and manufacture these materials. DOE released a Notice of Intent in August ahead of this formal funding opportunity.
Key facts
- Funding available: up to $134 million under the NOFO
- Issuing office: DOE Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation, Rare Earth Demonstration Facility program
- Eligible feedstocks: mine tailings, e-waste, and other waste materials
- Target elements: Praseodymium, Neodymium, Terbium, Dysprosium
- Informational webinar: December 9, 2025, 1:00 PM ET
- Letters of intent deadline: December 10, 2025, 5:00 PM ET (non-binding)
- Full application deadline: January 5, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
Source: U.S. Department of Energy news release (energy.gov)