The supply of raw materials, particularly so-called critical raw materials such as lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earths, is becoming increasingly important in the face of geopolitical crises and heavy dependence on imports. The skilled labor base in Europe and especially in Germany has dwindled considerably in recent decades. In order to close this gap and to be able to actively shape international raw materials policies, the BMBF is funding excellent young scientists and thus the supply of specialists in the field of mining and raw materials research. The junior research groups are to cooperate with companies active in the raw materials sector.

Eligible for funding are individual projects by international junior research groups that cover topics along the primary raw materials value chain from exploration to extraction and processing.

Funding priority 1: Development and testing of innovative, low impact technological approaches for the exploration of deposits

Funding priority 2: Development of innovative technological approaches for resource-efficient and climate-neutral raw material extraction

Funding priority 3: Development of new technological approaches for the sustainable processing of primary ores

Deadline: 31.08.2025 (project outlines)
Address: Project Management Agency Resources, Circular Economy, Geo-Research, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Project Management Jülich (PtJ), Marine and Maritime Research, Geosciences and Shipping Division (PtJ-MGS), P.O. Box 61 02 47, 10923 Berlin, Germany
Contact: Dr. Ute Münch, Tel.: 030/2 01 99-35 39, u.muench@ptj.de
Further Information: Call for applications