Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002135
This opportunity, titled "Requestion for Information - Production of Rare Earth Oxides and Rare Earth Metals" (DE-FOA-0002135), was issued by the U.S. Department of Energy through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) as a Request for Information (RFI), not as a grant or funding solicitation. The central aim was to gather technical and market input on how rare earth oxides (and/or rare earth salts) and rare earth metals could be produced from coal-based and coal-related resources. In practice, DOE was looking for insights that could help shape future research directions, program planning, or potential future funding announcements related to domestic rare earth supply chains tied to coal and coal byproducts.
The RFI specifically emphasized coal-derived feedstocks and related materials that may contain recoverable rare earth elements, including raw coal, coal refuse, overburden and underburden materials (such as coal seam clays, shales, and similar geologic layers), combustion byproducts like fly ash and bottom ash from power generation, and waste streams associated with mining such as acid mine drainage fluids and sludges. By listing these sources, DOE signaled interest in a broad range of real-world materials where rare earth recovery might be technically feasible, scalable, and potentially economical, especially when paired with remediation or waste management needs.
Even though the listing includes a "FundingInstrumentType" of cooperative agreement and a CFDA number (81.089), the text makes clear that this RFI was information-gathering only. DOE was not accepting applications, and there were no expected awards associated with it (expected awards: 0). In other words, the purpose was to collect responses from stakeholders rather than to select projects for funding at that time. The "award ceiling" field appearing in the source data should not be interpreted as available funding for this RFI, since the agency explicitly stated it was not a Funding Opportunity Announcement.
Eligibility was effectively open, described as unrestricted and open to any type of entity, subject to any additional clarifications that might have appeared in the full RFI document. That typically means companies, universities, national laboratories, state and local entities, and other organizations could provide input, as could teams with relevant technical or commercial experience. Responses were required to be submitted electronically by email to DE-FOA-0002135@netl.doe.gov, using a specific subject line format: "Entity Name - DE-FOA-0002135 - RFI". The deadline for submission was 8:00 pm Eastern Time on June 23, 2019. The RFI was created on May 22, 2019, providing roughly a one-month window for stakeholders to prepare and submit their responses.
Overall, the opportunity can be summarized as DOE/NETL seeking detailed information and perspectives on processes, technologies, and considerations for extracting and producing rare earth oxides/salts and rare earth metals from coal-related resources and waste streams, with the broader implication of strengthening domestic capabilities and learning what is technically viable. However, it did not provide funding and did not accept grant applications; it was strictly a mechanism for collecting industry and research community input to inform potential future DOE actions.Apply for DE FOA 0002135
- The Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory in the energy, environment, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Requestion for Information - Production of Rare Earth Oxides and Rare Earth Metals" 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 May 22, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 23, 2019 Responses to this RFI must be submitted electronically to DE-FOA-0002135@netl.doe.gov with the subject line quotEntity Name - DE-FOA-0002135 - RFIquot no later than 800 pm (ET) on June 23, 2019.. (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 $2.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is DE-FOA-0002135?
DE-FOA-0002135 is titled "Requestion for Information - Production of Rare Earth Oxides and Rare Earth Metals." It was issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) as a Request for Information (RFI).
Is this a grant or funding opportunity?
No. This was an RFI (information-gathering request), not a grant or funding solicitation. DOE was collecting input from stakeholders rather than accepting applications for funding.
Were any awards expected under this opportunity?
No. The expected number of awards was listed as 0, and DOE stated the RFI was not a Funding Opportunity Announcement.
What was DOE trying to accomplish with this RFI?
The goal was to gather technical and market input on how rare earth oxides (and/or rare earth salts) and rare earth metals could be produced from coal-based and coal-related resources. The information was intended to help inform future research directions, program planning, and potential future funding announcements related to domestic rare earth supply chains connected to coal and coal byproducts.
What types of materials or feedstocks were of interest?
DOE emphasized coal-derived and coal-related materials that may contain recoverable rare earth elements, including:
- Raw coal
- Coal refuse
- Overburden and underburden materials (such as coal seam clays, shales, and similar geologic layers)
- Combustion byproducts from power generation (fly ash and bottom ash)
- Mining-related waste streams (acid mine drainage fluids and sludges)
What products or outputs was DOE asking about?
The RFI focused on the production of rare earth oxides (and/or rare earth salts) and rare earth metals from coal-based and coal-related resources.
Who issued this RFI?
The RFI was issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) via the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL).
Who was eligible to respond?
Eligibility was described as unrestricted and open to any type of entity, subject to any additional clarifications that may have been included in the full RFI document. In practice, that typically includes companies, universities, national laboratories, state and local entities, other organizations, and groups with relevant technical or commercial experience.
How were responses supposed to be submitted?
Responses were required to be submitted electronically by email to DE-FOA-0002135@netl.doe.gov.
Was there a required email subject line format?
Yes. The subject line format required was: "Entity Name - DE-FOA-0002135 - RFI".
What was the submission deadline?
The deadline to submit responses was 8:00 pm Eastern Time on June 23, 2019.
When was the RFI posted or created?
The RFI was created on May 22, 2019.
How much time did organizations have to respond?
Based on the creation date (May 22, 2019) and the deadline (June 23, 2019 at 8:00 pm ET), stakeholders had roughly about one month to prepare and submit their input.
Does the listing mean DOE had funding available because it shows a cooperative agreement instrument type and a CFDA number?
No. Even though the listing included a "FundingInstrumentType" of cooperative agreement and a CFDA number (81.089), the RFI text made clear it was information-gathering only, with no applications and no awards.
Should the "award ceiling" field be treated as available funding for this opportunity?
No. The award ceiling field appearing in source data should not be interpreted as available funding for this RFI, because DOE explicitly indicated it was not a Funding Opportunity Announcement and was not making awards.
What kinds of insights was DOE seeking from stakeholders?
DOE was seeking detailed information and perspectives related to processes, technologies, and considerations for extracting and producing rare earth oxides/salts and rare earth metals from coal-related resources and waste streams, including viewpoints relevant to technical feasibility, scalability, and potential economics.
Why did DOE highlight waste streams like fly ash and acid mine drainage?
By listing these materials, DOE signaled interest in real-world sources where rare earth recovery might be feasible, scalable, and potentially economical, especially when recovery could align with remediation or waste management needs.
Did DOE indicate this RFI could influence future funding opportunities?
Yes. The RFI was positioned as a way to gather information that could shape future research directions, program planning, or potential future funding announcements related to domestic rare earth supply chains tied to coal and coal byproducts.
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