Powered by NSF TIP, the Tech Metal Transformation Challenge accelerates breakthrough technologies to strengthen the U.S. supply chain for critical and strategic metals—the foundation of energy, defense, advanced manufacturing, and the digital economy.
With access to these materials concentrated in a few U.S. regions, the Challenge calls for bold, interdisciplinary innovation to recover high-performance metals from domestic waste streams such as e-waste, batteries, and industrial residues.
Teams assembled for this Challenge will design scalable, low-impact prototype systems that integrate biological, chemical, and physical-mechanical processes to convert secondary sources into functional materials.
Through a multi-year, three-stage program led by STRIDE Ventures, up to eight teams will receive up to $2 million in Stage 1 (10 months) for R&D, up to six teams will advance in Stage 2 (12 months) with up to $2.5 million each for market validation, and up to four finalists will earn up to $3 million in Stage 3 (12 months) to scale and commercialize their technologies.
Modeled after Germany’s SPRIND, the Tech Metal Transformation Challenge supports breakthrough innovations from R&D to market scale through tiered funding and expert guidance. It aims to build a resilient, innovation-driven foundation for domestic materials security and manufacturing, positioning the U.S. as a global leader in advanced metal transformation.
Please read the the solicitation details carefully before applying and submit your application via the application form only.
Applications closed on January 15, 2026. Thank you for your participation. Stay connected for future updates and opportunities.
Find details about the Participant Agreement HERE.
Catch up anytime—watch the webinar recordings and browse the questions asked during the info sessions.
No, the team size is flexible. What’s important is that all necessary skills and expertise are covered. The work plan must demonstrate that the team can carry out the tasks.
Yes, consortium applications are allowed. The lead partner must be clearly identified as the sole contractual partner of STRIDE Ventures and must have its headquarters in the United States. International collaborations beyond that are welcome.
A team of experts from STRIDE Ventures will make a pre-selection. The final decision is based on the application and a pitch to an external jury consisting of scientists, industry experts, and/or investors. Teams will connect virtually to pitch at an assigned slot between February 19th and 20th, 2026.
The application deadline is January 15, 2026, at 11:59PM PT. The Challenge starts March 2026. The Challenge runs for 34 months, divided into three phases.
All expenses that serve to achieve the Challenge’s objectives can be funded with STRIDE Ventures funds. The initial budget provided to each team is intended to cover costs for research and development, procurement of materials, and any travel and accommodation expenses incurred within the scope of the Challenge. This includes, for example, personnel costs, costs for equipment and materials, or rental costs.
Functional products are materials made from secondary material streams that have a specific benefit for industrial or technological applications. The goal is not only to recover pure metals, but to create products that, in terms of their form, composition, or function, can be used directly. It is important that these products are relevant and economically viable for existing or foreseeable U.S. markets — whether in electronics, battery technology, materials development, or other fields of application. The exact design depends on the team’s specific solution approach.
The intellectual property rights to the results created by the teams during the Challenge remain with the teams. Details are set out in the participation agreement, which will be published at application opening and can be accessed via the “Proposal Details” link above.
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. NSF’s Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships (TIP) works to accelerate the development and deployment of critical and emerging technologies, ensuring that discoveries move from lab to market to strengthen the U.S. economy and national security.
The German Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovation sponsoring innovation competitions to find the most effective approaches and solutions to grand, hard problems
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