Novel and Highly Efficient Separation Methods for Critical Rare Earth Elements
SBIR Opportunity Analysis
The Defense Logistics Agency is seeking SBIR solutions for novel, highly efficient domestic methods to separate critical rare earth elements from mixed feedstocks to reduce foreign reliance and strengthen supply chain resiliency for DoW customers. The work should produce cost-competitive, modular, and scalable processes capable of yielding high-purity rare earth oxides, salts, or metals such as Sc, Y, Nd/Pr, Sm, Gd, Tb, and Dy. Proposed efforts must be at TRL/MRL 3 through 6 and are expected to show proof of concept in Phase I, then advance to a pilot-scale process in Phase II using domestically sourced inputs, with a commercialization roadmap, preliminary technoeconomic analysis, and business case. The topic is open, with applications due June 24, 2026 at 4:00 PM, and the phases are capped at $100,000 for up to 12 months and $1,000,000 for up to 18 months; the work is also noted as subject to ITAR/EAR restrictions and disclosure of foreign national involvement.