TRACE - Ga seeks to accelerate the maturation of domestic gallium supply chains. Therefore, to participate, technology developers will partner with an industrial entity to recover gallium from their metal processing stream(s). Under the TRACE - Ga initiative, projects will test and validate prototype technologies with a goal of producing at least 50 kg of pure gallium from at least one 14-day campaign of continuous operation with a real-world metal industry processing stream, such as aluminum or zinc. The objective is to validate a prototype that is capable of producing at least 1 metric ton per annum scale of gallium. Successful projects will restart domestic primary gallium recovery for the first time in almost 40 years.

FECM will provide projects up to $5 million in federal funding. Project recipients must match FECM funds with at least 20% cost share. FECM plans to award 1-3 projects. DOE may select alternates if the number of projects meritorious for funding is greater than funds currently obligated to TRACE - Ga.  

Projects will conduct work in two phases.

For more information about this opportunity, including information about the live webinars, FAQs, and additional resources, please visit the ENERGYWERX TRACE – Ga opportunity page by clicking here: (TRACE - Ga) - Technology for Recovery and Advanced Critical-material Extraction – Gallium Oct 30, 2025

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