Novel Approaches to Critical Minerals Research in the Geosciences (GEO-CM)
NSF GEO-CM grants fund fundamental research on the discovery, characterization, and sustainable extraction of critical minerals essential for clean energy.
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: Proposals accepted anytime (see participating programs for specifics)
Funding Amounts: Award amounts and durations vary by participating program; typical NSF GEO grants range from $100,000–$500,000 per year for 1–5 years.
Summary: Supports fundamental and interdisciplinary research on the discovery, characterization, and sustainable extraction of critical minerals essential for clean energy.
Key Information: Proposals must be submitted to a relevant GEO program and titled with "GEO-CM:"; contact program officers to confirm fit.
Description
This opportunity supports fundamental research that advances the discovery, characterization, extraction, and separation of critical minerals—including essential metals and rare earth elements—vital for a clean-energy future. The program is particularly interested in innovative, interdisciplinary approaches that address geologic and geochemical processes, prospecting and extraction technologies, and sustainable, environmentally responsible methods. Proposals should also consider the environmental, biological, and socioeconomic impacts of critical mineral activities, especially in sensitive regions such as the Arctic. Integration of training for students and broader impacts activities is strongly encouraged.
Research must align with the scope of programs in the NSF Directorate for Geosciences (GEO), including Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, and the Office of Polar Programs. Projects focused solely on engineering optimization, operations, or management of engineered systems are not appropriate.
