Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0001718
The Department of Energy (DOE), through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), issued a discretionary funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0001718) titled "Development of Transformational Separation and Extraction Processes for Production of Rare Earth Element Materials from Domestic U.S. Coal and Coal By-Products." The core purpose of this grant is to accelerate research and development that makes it more practical to recover rare earth elements (REEs) from coal-related domestic resources, specifically coal itself and coal by-products. In plain terms, DOE is trying to help build a U.S.-based supply chain for REE materials by turning existing coal-derived streams into usable sources of these strategically important elements, while also improving the environmental footprint and overall economics of doing so.
This opportunity sits within DOE's Rare Earth Elements Program, which is aimed at developing technologies that can extract and separate REEs from nontraditional sources. Coal and coal by-products can contain measurable quantities of REEs, but the challenge has typically been that recovering them efficiently and cleanly is difficult and expensive. DOE's emphasis in this FOA is on "transformational" separation and extraction processes, meaning projects are expected to go beyond incremental tweaks and instead propose new technologies or major advancements that noticeably improve performance. The improvements DOE highlights are threefold: technical performance (better recovery rates, higher purity, more reliable operation, improved selectivity among elements), environmental performance (reduced waste, lower chemical use, less water and energy intensity, fewer emissions, safer residue handling), and economic performance (lower cost per unit REE product, reduced processing steps, improved throughput, and better scalability).
The funding mechanism is a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates substantial involvement by the federal agency during the project period, such as technical coordination, milestones, and active project management rather than a hands-off grant structure. The activity category is energy, and the CFDA number listed is 81.089. Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning the competition is broadly open to different entity types (for example, companies, universities, nonprofits, and other organizations), subject to any additional eligibility conditions that might have been included in the full FOA text. DOE anticipated making around 10 awards, with an award ceiling of $1,600,000 per award, indicating a portfolio approach where multiple teams pursue different technical pathways rather than placing a single bet on one solution.
Timing-wise, the FOA was created on June 5, 2017, with an original application deadline of July 18, 2017. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as a targeted R&D push to strengthen domestic capability in rare earth processing by leveraging coal-related feedstocks that already exist in the U.S., with the broader policy logic being supply chain resilience and reduced dependence on foreign REE sources. The program framing also suggests that DOE is looking for approaches that can integrate into a viable end-to-end "coal-based REE value chain," meaning projects should ideally consider not only lab-scale chemistry but also how a process could be deployed at scale, how it handles real-world variability in coal and by-product composition, and how it could produce REE materials that meet downstream market specifications.Apply for DE FOA 0001718
- The Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Development of Transformational Separation and Extraction Processes for Production of Rare Earth Element Materials from Domestic U.S.Coal and Coal By-Products" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.089.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jun 05, 2017.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 18, 2017. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,600,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name and ID of this funding opportunity?
The funding opportunity is titled "Development of Transformational Separation and Extraction Processes for Production of Rare Earth Element Materials from Domestic U.S. Coal and Coal By-Products" and is identified as DOE funding opportunity number DE-FOA-0001718.
Which agency is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL).
What is the main purpose of this grant?
The core purpose is to accelerate research and development that makes it more practical to recover rare earth elements (REEs) from domestic U.S. coal and coal by-products. The broader goal is to help strengthen a U.S.-based supply chain for REE materials by turning coal-derived streams into usable sources of these strategically important elements.
What program does this FOA fall under?
This opportunity sits within DOE's Rare Earth Elements Program, which focuses on developing technologies to extract and separate REEs from nontraditional sources.
What types of source materials are targeted for REE recovery?
The FOA specifically targets domestic U.S. coal and coal by-products as feedstocks that can contain measurable quantities of rare earth elements.
What does DOE mean by "transformational" separation and extraction processes?
"Transformational" indicates DOE is looking for projects that go beyond incremental improvements. Proposed approaches are expected to introduce new technologies or major advancements that produce noticeable gains in process performance, environmental outcomes, and economic viability.
What kinds of technical improvements does DOE emphasize?
DOE highlights technical performance improvements such as better recovery rates, higher purity outputs, more reliable operation, and improved selectivity among different rare earth elements.
What kinds of environmental improvements does DOE emphasize?
DOE highlights environmental performance improvements such as reduced waste generation, lower chemical use, reduced water and energy intensity, fewer emissions, and safer handling of residues.
What kinds of economic improvements does DOE emphasize?
DOE highlights economic performance improvements such as lowering cost per unit of REE product, reducing the number of processing steps, improving throughput, and strengthening scalability for real-world deployment.
What is the funding mechanism for awards under this FOA?
The funding mechanism is a cooperative agreement. This typically implies substantial involvement by DOE during the project period, such as technical coordination, milestone tracking, and active project management.
How is a cooperative agreement different from a more hands-off grant?
Based on the description provided, a cooperative agreement generally involves more active federal participation during the project period (for example, coordination around technical direction and milestones) than a traditional grant that may be more hands-off.
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is energy.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 81.089.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to different types of entities (for example, companies, universities, nonprofits, and other organizations), subject to any additional eligibility conditions that may have been included in the full FOA text.
How many awards did DOE anticipate making?
DOE anticipated making around 10 awards, suggesting a portfolio approach where multiple teams pursue different technical pathways.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $1,600,000 per award.
When was the FOA created?
The FOA was created on June 5, 2017.
What was the original application deadline?
The original application deadline was July 18, 2017.
What problem is DOE trying to solve with this funding?
Coal and coal by-products can contain REEs, but historically it has been difficult and expensive to recover them efficiently and cleanly. This FOA aims to support R&D that makes REE extraction and separation from these materials more efficient, cleaner, and more cost-effective.
Why is DOE interested in rare earth elements from coal-related sources?
The stated policy logic is supply chain resilience and reducing dependence on foreign REE sources by developing domestic capability in rare earth processing using U.S. coal-related feedstocks.
What does it mean to build a "coal-based REE value chain"?
The FOA framing suggests DOE is interested in approaches that can integrate into a viable end-to-end pathway for producing REE materials from coal-based sources. This includes considering how a process could be deployed at scale, how it handles real-world variability in feedstock composition, and whether it can produce REE materials that meet downstream market specifications.
Does the FOA encourage thinking beyond lab-scale research?
Yes. The opportunity description indicates DOE is looking for approaches that consider practical deployment factors, such as scalability, throughput, and handling real-world variability in coal and coal by-product streams, in addition to the underlying science and chemistry.
What kinds of outputs is DOE aiming for from funded projects?
Funded projects are expected to advance separation and extraction processes that can produce usable rare earth element materials with improved recovery and purity, while also improving environmental footprint and overall economics.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Energy
Next opportunity: Remove Hazard Trees and Fuels from the Rainbow Point and Developed Areas of Bryce Canyon National Park
Previous opportunity: Resilient Landscapes: Forest thinning and fire impacts on wildlife-habitat interactions, Phase I: Restoration effects on non-native invasive plant species.
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for DE FOA 0001718
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (DE FOA 0001718) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Advanced Combustion Technologies Apply for DE FOA 0001728 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001728 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Grant Program to Assess, Evaluate and Promote Development of Tribal Energy and Mineral Resources Apply for BIA 000 0006 DEMD Funding Number: BIA 000 0006 DEMD Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs Category: Energy Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| Photovoltaics (PV) Innovation Roadmap Apply for DE FOA 0001764 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001764 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Solicitation for Proposals for the Grant Program to Build Tribal Energy Development Capacity (TEDC) Apply for BIA 000 0007 TEDC Funding Number: BIA 000 0007 TEDC Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs Category: Energy Funding Amount: $99,000 |
| Advanced Manufacturing Graduate-Level Traineeships Apply for DE FOA 0001790 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001790 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $2,500,000 |
| Interagency Wild and Scenic Rivers Fellows Apply for P17AS00568 Funding Number: P17AS00568 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Energy Funding Amount: $82,000 |
| Notice of Intent to Issue DE-FOA-0001662: Innovative Solutions for Fish Passage at Hydropower Dams Apply for DE FOA 0001806 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001806 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Nonproliferation & Arms Control Program Studies, Training, & Outreach Apply for DE FOA 0001777 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001777 Agency: Department of Energy, NNSA Category: Energy Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement entitled FY 2017 Vehicle Technologies Office Batteries and Electrification to Enable Extreme Fast Charging Funding Opportunity Announcement Apply for DE FOA 0001807 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001807 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Advanced Power Electronics Design for Solar Applications Apply for DE FOA 0001740 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001740 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| RFI: Solar Energy Technology Analysis & Data Needs Apply for DE FOA 0001818 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001818 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Notice of Intent (NOI) - Solar Desalination Apply for DE FOA 0001821 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001821 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement entitled Medium/Heavy-Duty, On-Road Natural Gas Engine Research and Development Apply for DE FOA 0001812 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001812 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| Innovative Solutions for Fish Passage at Hydropower Dams Apply for DE FOA 0001662 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001662 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $800,000 |
| Novel and Enabling Carbon Capture Transformational Technologies Apply for DE FOA 0001792 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001792 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| Medium/Heavy-Duty, On-Road Natural Gas Engine R&D Apply for DE FOA 0001813 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001813 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| FOA: State Energy Program 2017 Competitive Awards Apply for DE FOA 0001644 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001644 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Energy Efficiency Research and Development for Fluid-Power Systems In Off-Road Vehicles Apply for DE FOA 0001815 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001815 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| FY2018 Scientific Infrastructure Support for CINR Funding Opportunity Announcement Apply for DE FOA 0001773 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001773 Agency: Department of Energy, Idaho Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| FY2018 Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research Funding Opportunity Announcement Apply for DE FOA 0001772 Funding Number: DE FOA 0001772 Agency: Department of Energy, Idaho Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "DE FOA 0001718", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.