A new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) has recently been announced. Click the link below for additional information and to read the respective flyer.
Title: Providing Opportunities for Specialized Education in Critical Technologies (PROSPECT) Planning Prize
Agency: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI); administered by the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR) on behalf of DOE
Deadline: October 5, 2026
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) has announced the Providing Opportunities for Specialized Education in Critical Technologies (PROSPECT) Planning Prize, a single-phase prize competition that provides up to $16 million to support implementation-ready plans from universities to strengthen the U.S. critical minerals workforce. The prize is part of DOE’s broader $100 million PROSPECT initiative and seeks to substantially increase the number of graduates and credentialed professionals prepared for careers in mining, mineral processing, metallurgy, materials, manufacturing, recycling, and related supply chains. Applicants must develop one proposed PROSPECT program under $4 million, $7 million, and $10 million illustrative budget scenarios, with at least 50 percent of each scenario dedicated to direct student support. DOE anticipates making up to 16 awards of $1 million each, with no local match required.
Eligible applicants are U.S. degree-granting academic institutions that meet specific mining engineering program requirements, including institutions with an accredited baccalaureate-level mining engineering program or an active program with a demonstrated commitment and plan to achieve qualifying accreditation. Non-academic organizations may participate as partners but cannot serve as the primary applicant or receive prize funds. Eligible plans may include student recruitment and support, curriculum development, applied and experiential learning, internships and apprenticeships, faculty development, instructional laboratory and equipment modernization, and industry partnerships. Applications are due October 5, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. ET through the PROSPECT Planning Prize platform. Submissions will be evaluated based on workforce need and measurable impact, student support and recruitment, industry-relevant curriculum and experiential learning, institutional capacity, collaboration and readiness, and implementation, measurement, budget, risk, and sustainability.