Electric vehicles, wind turbines, and solar panels—seen as solutions to the climate crisis—require large amounts of "critical minerals" (such as Lithium, Cobalt, Nickel, Copper, etc.) for their production. However, the extraction of these minerals causes both environmental damage and creates supply chain issues. By focusing its 2026 Breakthrough Science Grants call on this problem, the EQT Foundation has announced that it will support projects that reduce the need for mining, increase the efficiency of existing materials, or offer entirely new alternatives.
Applications are expected to address one of the following topics.
- Material Substitution: Development of new materials that are more abundant and environmentally friendly, and can replace critical minerals.
- Circular Economy and Recycling: New technologies that enable critical minerals to be efficiently recovered from batteries or electronic waste.
- Efficiency Increase: Innovations that allow existing technologies to perform the same while using fewer minerals.
Who can apply?
- Research-Focused NGOs: Associations and foundations working in the fields of environment and technology, hosting experts/academics.
- Academic Institutions: University research centers.
- Early-Stage Startups: Impact-driven startups, even if they are for-profit.
Grant Amounts The EQT Foundation generally supports early-stage scientific projects as "catalyst funding." Although grant amounts vary depending on the project, seed funding is typically provided in the range of 100,000 to 300,000 Euros.
For more information: EQT Group Official Announcement Page