Technology Advancement
Information for Technology Developers and Vendors
Technologies for monitoring or recovery of critical minerals at mid- to advanced technology readiness levels (TRLs) will be assessed using mine waste from legacy mine or mineral processing sites undergoing remediation. Solicitations will be issued semiannually for interested technology developers and vendors to submit applications to participate in on- and/or off-site assessments. These assessments will be guided by rigorous and transparent testing protocols to generate credible performance data. The resulting data will be compiled in summary reports that can be used by technology developers to advance towards pilot-scale testing or commercialization or by stakeholders to make informed decisions regarding purchase, permitting, or implementation.
From 2024-2027, EMRTAI will issue several Calls for Applications to work with technology developers and vendors on technology assessments using feedstocks from legacy mining sites. With a goal of both advancing technologies to scale and verifying performance capabilities of commercially available technologies, EMRTAI encourages applications from developers and vendors of technologies from a range of technology readiness levels for participation in laboratory bench-scale and site-based pilot-scale testing. Interested applicants can reach out to the EMRTAI Team at emrtai@epa.gov or info@emrtai.org at any time to share information about their technology and to determine whether they may be a good fit for participation in an assessment under EMRTAI.
Technology Assessment Framework
Key elements of the framework:
Rigorous QAQC process to produce credible data
Review of technology assessment protocols by Technical Panels to align data with the needs of the user community
Community engagement to foster dialogue and gather input surrounding the potential for critical minerals recovery as part of site remediation
Note, EMRTAI does not fund basic research on technology development. EMRTAI funds technology assessments in coordination with technology developers and vendors, including the production of technology assessment reports.
EMRTAI accepts applications in response to a Call for Applications that is focused on a particular category of technology. We anticipate the next Call for Applications to be announced in April 2025.
*NEW* Technologies to Recover Critical Minerals from Solid Mining Waste Materials
Applications Open: March 2025 (TBD)
Applications Close: TBD
(Archived) Technologies to Recover Critical Minerals from Mining Influenced Water
Applications Open: October 31, 2024
Applications Close: December 20, 2024
(Archived) Technologies for Characterization of Critical Minerals in Solid Mine Waste
Applications Open: October 31, 2024
Applications Close: December 20, 2024
Submit your application:
If you have a technology that the Initiative is not currently soliciting applications for, please reach out to us.
Eligibility
Participation in EMRTAI technology assessments is open to all eligible technology developers and vendors organized under the laws of the United States. Eligible technology developers and vendors include U.S. universities, nonprofit research and development firms, and for-profit organizations. Foreign entities are not eligible to participate.