Advancing solutions for critical mineral production and recycling
Funding
Up to £305,000
Deadline
7 January 2027
Location
England
Applications
Deadline: 7 January 2027
Overview
This grant funds early-stage research into new ways to extract, process, recover, and recycle critical minerals. It supports disruptive and transformative ideas at the pump-priming stage, meaning exploratory work to test and validate new approaches. You can apply for up to £305,000. The deadline to apply is 7 January 2027. You must be based at a UK research organisation that is eligible for UKRI funding.
Requirements to check
Who can apply:
Key requirements:
- Must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for UKRI funding
This summary may not include every exclusion. Check the full eligibility rules, including who and what the funder will not support.
This grant is for researchers based at UK universities or research institutes that are eligible for UKRI funding. It is aimed at those working on new solutions for critical mineral supply, including extraction, processing, and recycling. It is not for businesses, charities, or community groups.
Regions
Full details from Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)Innovate UKArts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC)Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
Apply for funding for pump-priming research to explore, test and validate disruptive and transformative solutions for critical mineral extraction, processing, recovery, reprocessing, recycling or re-mining.You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding.
You apply through the UKRI Funding Service portal. Check the full eligibility criteria on the UKRI website before applying, as you must be based at a UKRI-eligible UK research organisation.
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