Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0003390
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA): Mine of the Future - Proving Ground Initiative is a federal funding opportunity from the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) focused on building and using real-world "proving grounds" for next-generation mining technologies. Listed as Funding Opportunity Number DE FOA 0003390 (NOFO-0003390), this program is designed to move promising mining innovations out of the lab and into operational settings where they can be demonstrated, validated, refined, and scaled more quickly. The central idea is to create shared or dedicated sites and supporting infrastructure where emerging tools, equipment, digital systems, and process improvements can be tested under realistic conditions, helping reduce technical risk and shorten the time it takes for new approaches to reach commercial adoption.
At a practical level, the opportunity targets investments that can modernize mining practices in the United States by supporting both physical and technological infrastructure. That can include facilities, test beds, instrumentation, monitoring systems, data platforms, and other enabling capabilities that make it possible to run pilots and demonstrations safely and repeatedly. By funding proving grounds rather than isolated one-off experiments, the program aims to establish durable capabilities that can support ongoing technology development across multiple projects, partners, and mining contexts. The overarching objective is to accelerate "novel technology development" for the U.S. mining sector, with a strong emphasis on transforming how mining is carried out and improving the speed and reliability of innovation deployment.
A major policy outcome tied to this initiative is strengthening secure and resilient domestic supply networks for critical minerals and materials (often abbreviated as CMM). In this context, the proving ground approach is meant to help the U.S. develop and adopt advanced mining technologies that improve productivity, safety, environmental performance, and operational resilience, thereby supporting a more reliable domestic pipeline for materials that are important to energy, manufacturing, and national security. By enabling faster iteration and proof of performance at scale, the program is positioned as an infrastructure and technology catalyst for the "mine of the future" concept, where mining operations become more efficient, technology-forward, and better aligned with long-term supply chain needs.
Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity in the Energy activity category, using a Cooperative Agreement funding instrument. That funding instrument typically indicates substantial federal involvement during the project period, such as collaboration, technical engagement, or coordinated oversight in addition to standard reporting and compliance requirements. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning a broad range of applicant types may apply, depending on the detailed rules in the full notice (for example, private industry, universities, nonprofits, state or local entities, or consortia), and applicants should confirm any specific eligibility or teaming requirements in the complete NOFO.
Key dates and award information provided include an original closing date of 2025-12-15 and a creation date of 2025-11-14. The award ceiling is listed as $40,000,000, signaling the potential for large, infrastructure-heavy projects consistent with establishing or upgrading proving ground capabilities. The listing also references CFDA number 81.089. The expected number of awards is not specified in the provided data, so prospective applicants would need to consult the full announcement for how many awards NETL anticipates making, anticipated total program funding (if stated), cost share expectations (if applicable), and the technical areas of interest and evaluation criteria.
In summary, DE FOA 0003390 is a high-value federal initiative to stand up mining technology proving grounds that can accelerate innovation, de-risk deployment, and modernize U.S. mining operations, while supporting more secure and resilient domestic critical minerals and materials supply networks.Apply for DE FOA 0003390
- The National Energy Technology Laboratory in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA): Mine of the Future - Proving Ground Initiative" 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 2025-11-14.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-12-15. (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 $40,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Mine of the Future - Proving Ground Initiative?
It is a federal funding opportunity under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) run by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). The program focuses on establishing and using real-world "proving grounds" where next-generation mining technologies can be demonstrated, validated, refined, and scaled under realistic operating conditions.
What problem is this funding meant to solve?
The opportunity is designed to help move promising mining innovations out of the lab and into operational environments faster. By supporting proving grounds (instead of isolated one-off tests), the program aims to reduce technical risk, shorten the path to commercial adoption, and strengthen long-term capacity for repeated pilots and demonstrations.
What is a "proving ground" in the context of this program?
A proving ground is a shared or dedicated site, plus the supporting infrastructure, where emerging mining tools, equipment, digital systems, and process improvements can be tested safely and repeatedly under realistic conditions. The intent is to create durable capabilities that can support ongoing technology development across multiple projects, partners, and mining contexts.
What kinds of projects or investments does the program target?
Based on the description provided, the opportunity targets investments that modernize U.S. mining practices by supporting both physical and technological infrastructure. Examples mentioned include facilities, test beds, instrumentation, monitoring systems, data platforms, and other enabling capabilities needed to run pilots and demonstrations.
Is the funding focused on one-time demonstrations or longer-term infrastructure?
The emphasis is on proving grounds rather than one-off experiments. The goal is to establish lasting infrastructure and capabilities that can support repeated testing and continuous improvement across multiple technologies and partners over time.
What is the main objective of the initiative?
The overarching objective is to accelerate novel technology development for the U.S. mining sector, with a strong focus on transforming how mining is carried out and improving the speed and reliability of deploying innovations into real operations.
How does this program relate to critical minerals and materials (CMM)?
A major policy outcome tied to this initiative is strengthening secure and resilient domestic supply networks for critical minerals and materials (CMM). The proving ground approach is intended to speed development and adoption of advanced mining technologies that improve productivity, safety, environmental performance, and operational resilience, supporting a more reliable domestic pipeline for materials important to energy, manufacturing, and national security.
Who is the funding opportunity sponsor/agency?
The opportunity is from the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DE FOA 0003390 (also referenced as NOFO-0003390).
What type of funding opportunity is this?
It is described as a discretionary funding opportunity in the Energy activity category.
What funding instrument will be used for awards?
The program uses a Cooperative Agreement funding instrument. This typically implies substantial federal involvement during the project period, such as collaboration, technical engagement, or coordinated oversight, in addition to standard reporting and compliance.
What does "Cooperative Agreement" imply for awardees?
Based on the description provided, it typically indicates substantial federal involvement during the project period. That can include collaboration or technical engagement with the federal sponsor and coordinated oversight, along with normal award administration requirements.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning a broad range of applicant types may be able to apply. The description notes that applicants should confirm specific eligibility rules and any teaming requirements in the full notice.
Does "unrestricted eligibility" mean any organization can apply?
It suggests broad eligibility, but the description cautions that applicants should verify the specific rules in the complete NOFO, including any limitations, definitions, or teaming requirements that may apply.
What is the application deadline?
The original closing date listed is 2025-12-15.
When was this opportunity created/posted?
The creation date listed is 2025-11-14.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is listed as $40,000,000.
Does the listing say how many awards will be made?
No. The expected number of awards is not specified in the provided information. Prospective applicants would need to consult the full announcement for expected award count or total available funding, if provided there.
Is total program funding mentioned?
Total program funding is not provided in the information shown. The listing only specifies an award ceiling of $40,000,000, and applicants are directed (implicitly) to the full notice for additional funding details.
Is cost share required?
Cost share expectations (if applicable) are not stated in the provided information. The description indicates applicants should consult the full announcement for cost share requirements.
What technical topic areas or evaluation criteria will NETL use?
The specific technical areas of interest and evaluation criteria are not included in the information provided. The description notes that applicants should consult the full NOFO for those details.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The listing references CFDA number 81.089.
Why is the award ceiling so high?
The description suggests the large ceiling is consistent with infrastructure-heavy projects, such as standing up or upgrading proving ground sites and the enabling facilities, instrumentation, monitoring, and data systems required for repeated real-world demonstrations.
Does the program support digital systems as well as physical infrastructure?
Yes. The description explicitly mentions support for both physical and technological infrastructure, including digital systems, data platforms, instrumentation, and monitoring systems that enable safe, repeatable pilots and demonstrations.
What outcomes does NETL appear to be aiming for in mining operations?
Based on the information provided, the initiative aims to enable mining operations that are more efficient, technology-forward, and better aligned with long-term domestic supply chain needs, while improving productivity, safety, environmental performance, and operational resilience.
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