STRIDE Ventures: Tech Metal Transformation Challenge
Funds United States solutions that recover critical metals from waste and industrial residues through applied research.
⚠This may reflect a past cycle — verify the current call on the funder's site.
The Tech Metal Transformation Challenge is the inaugural competition from STRIDE Ventures, an NSF Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships initiative operated by Start2 Group. The challenge was co-designed with Germany's SPRIND federal innovation agency and is partnered with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, IBM, and Aurubis. It targets the recovery and recycling of critical metals — including those found in e-waste, spent batteries, and industrial residues — using biological, chemical, and physical-mechanical methods. The application window closed January 15, 2026, and the challenge launched in March 2026 with teams already in active Stage 1 work.
The competition uses a three-stage, 34-month milestone-based structure. Stage 1 funds up to eight teams at up to $2 million each over ten months. Stage 2 advances up to six teams, each receiving up to $2.5 million over twelve months. Stage 3 funds up to four finalists at up to $3 million over twelve months, for a maximum of $7.5 million per team across all stages. Awards are milestone-gated and disbursed as each stage is completed. The lead partner organization must be U.S.-headquartered, though international collaborations are explicitly permitted beyond that requirement. Eligible applicants span for-profit companies, nonprofits, universities, and research organizations. There is no minimum or maximum team size specified.
The challenge is evaluated by juries of industry, government, and academic experts consistent with STRIDE Ventures' peer review model. Because applications are closed, the Tech Metal Challenge is relevant primarily to teams already competing in Stage 1 or Stage 2, and to organizations planning for the expected future STRIDE Ventures competitions. Program inquiries may be directed to TechMetal@nsf.gov.
Recovery and recycling of critical metals from domestic e-waste, spent batteries, and industrial residues using biological, chemical, and physical-mechanical methods.
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