Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA): Mine of the Future - Proving Ground Initiative

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM), has released a funding opportunity titled "Mine of the Future - Proving Ground Initiative" under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). This initiative, administered by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), aims to catalyze the development of next-generation mining technology through the establishment of Mining Technology Proving Grounds. These sites are intended to be collaborative, field-scale testing environments to advance novel mining technologies and accelerate the domestic supply chain for critical minerals and materials. The program supports two core components: the development of a physical proving ground facility and the execution of one or two mining technology projects within it. These projects are expected to advance technologies from Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 2–6 to higher maturity. The initiative aligns with national priorities to secure domestic critical material supply chains, reduce dependency on foreign sources, and foster American innovation. Proving grounds are envisioned as modular, scalable platforms that provide real-world testing environments while integrating advanced digital monitoring, autonomous systems, environmental safeguards, and workforce training elements. Funding is structured under cooperative agreements with a projected total of $80 million allocated in FY26. Individual awards range from $5 million to $40 million over a four-year period, with at least a 20% cost share requirement from non-federal sources. The DOE anticipates issuing up to four awards. Proposed facilities must be located within the United States and should have demonstrated access to critical mineral resources or representative analogs. Applicants must also ensure conformance with applicable safety and environmental regulations and integrate sustainability and workforce development plans. Eligible applicants include domestic institutions of higher education, nonprofits, for-profit entities, state and local governments, and tribal organizations. Entities of concern and certain federal institutions (e.g., NETL) are excluded from participation. Foreign entities may participate only with an approved waiver. All work must be performed in the U.S. unless a separate waiver is granted. Applications must include a clear cost-sharing plan and identify up to two initial mine technology projects compatible with the proposed facility’s capabilities. Submissions are due by January 30, 2026, with anticipated award notifications by February 27, 2026, and conditional awards by March 9, 2026. The final award date is expected by June 15, 2026, and projects will run through June 14, 2030. Applications must be submitted through the DOE’s eXCHANGE system and comply with all registration and eligibility requirements outlined in both Part 1 and Part 2 of the NOFO. For questions, applicants may contact DE-FOA-0003390@netl.doe.gov.

Focus on proving ground readiness, alignment with TRL advancement, and integration of sustainability and training elements. Include clear justification of project timeline and cost share strategy.