# Advancing Solutions for Critical Mineral Production and Recycling

**Funder:** UKRI
**Budget:** Up to £305,000 FEC (UKRI funds 80%)
**Deadline:** 7 January 2027 (16:00 UK time; mandatory Notification of Intent due 1 December 2026, 16:00 UK time)
**Duration:** Up to 12 months (phase one); project must start by 3 May 2027
**Consortium:** Optional — industry and other stakeholders encouraged as project partners; project partners must fund their own involvement
**Application:** 2-stage: mandatory Notification of Intent (1 December 2026) → full application (7 January 2027)
**Frequency:** One-off
**Next round:** 2027-07
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/advancing-solutions-for-critical-mineral-production-and-recycling/
**Last updated:** 18 Oct 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Phase one pump-priming grants under UKRI's Critical Minerals: From Research to Industry (CMR2i) programme, for research groups/individuals at UK organisations (plus NERC-Norway co-lead option) developing extraction, processing, recycling and re-mining solutions for critical/growth minerals relevant to UK Advanced Manufacturing. Up to six awards; phase two funding (up to £1.6M FEC) is competitive and only open to phase one awardees.

## Summary

UKRI's Critical Minerals: From Research to Industry (CMR2i) phase one call funds pump-priming projects of up to £305,000 FEC (UKRI covers 80%) over 12 months, for UK research groups developing extraction, processing, recycling or re-mining solutions for critical and growth minerals tied to advanced manufacturing. Up to six awards will be made, and only phase one awardees can later compete for phase two funding of up to £1.6M. Industry and other partners are welcome but must fund their own involvement.

## Who should apply

- Research groups or individual researchers at UK organisations
- Teams able to co-lead with NERC-Norway where relevant
- Projects on extraction, processing, recycling or re-mining of critical/growth minerals
- Work aligned with UK Advanced Manufacturing needs
- Applicants planning to pursue phase two funding after phase one completion

## Key dates

- Mandatory Notification of Intent due 1 December 2026, 16:00 UK time
- Full application deadline 7 January 2027, 16:00 UK time
- Up to 12-month phase one project, must start by 3 May 2027

## Tips for applicants

- Submit the Notification of Intent well before the 1 December 2026 deadline, it's mandatory and gates entry to the full application stage.
- Frame phase one as pump-priming work that builds a clear case for phase two's larger £1.6M award, since only phase one awardees are eligible to apply.
- If including industry or other project partners, confirm their own funding arrangements early since UKRI does not cover partner costs.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much funding does the UKRI CMR2i phase one grant provide?

Up to £305,000 FEC, with UKRI funding 80% of costs, over a project of up to 12 months.

### Who is eligible to apply for CMR2i phase one?

Research groups or individuals at UK organisations, with an option to co-lead with NERC-Norway, working on critical mineral extraction, processing, recycling or re-mining relevant to UK Advanced Manufacturing.

### Is there a two-stage application process for CMR2i?

Yes, applicants must first submit a mandatory Notification of Intent by 1 December 2026, followed by a full application due 7 January 2027.

### Can I get phase two funding after a CMR2i phase one award?

Phase two funding of up to £1.6M FEC is competitive and only open to applicants who received a phase one award.

### Do I need industry partners to apply for CMR2i phase one?

No, a consortium is optional; industry and other stakeholders are encouraged as project partners but must fund their own involvement.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/ukri-advancing-solutions-for-critical-mineral-productio-2027-01) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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