NOI: PROSPECT Program: Providing Opportunities for Specialized Education in Critical Technologies
The DOE plans to invest up to $100 million in the PROSPECT Program to boost specialized education and workforce development in critical minerals and materials through academic, industry, and national lab collaboration.
Funder: Golden Field Office
Due Dates: January 15, 2027 (Full application submission deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $100 million total program funding anticipated (subject to appropriations); award size and duration TBD.
Summary: Notice of Intent for a major DOE program to build workforce and educational capacity in critical minerals and materials across the U.S. supply chain.
Key Information: This is a Notice of Intent (NOI); all details are subject to change and no applications are being accepted yet.
Description
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through its Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI) and the Analysis and Strategy Office (ASO), intends to launch the PROSPECT Program: Providing Opportunities for Specialized Education in Critical Technologies. This initiative aims to invest up to $100 million (pending appropriations) to enhance the nation's educational infrastructure and workforce development in the field of critical minerals and materials. The program will support collaborative efforts among academia, industry, national laboratories, and other stakeholders to create robust educational pathways spanning the entire value chain—from resource development and extraction to processing, manufacturing, recycling, and supply chain activities. The ultimate goal is to ensure a durable talent pipeline that strengthens U.S. economic competitiveness, energy security, and national security by supporting continued innovation and growth in the domestic critical minerals sector.
