“This is more than an investment in critical miner- als; it is an investment in Alaska’s people, our future and our ability to lead the nation in innovation,” she said. “Lee Ann, UAF and others across the UA system have worked tirelessly for years on this project, and I am excited to see the discoveries, technology and advancements that come from this effort over the next decade.” The Geophysical Institute provided important early funding to help develop the engine in 2024 and con- tinues to support its goals. Geophysical Institute Director Robert McCoy said the institute is well-positioned to help the nation. “As a globally recognized leader in Arctic geoscienc- es, our researchers have an extraordinary wealth of knowledge that can turn the goals of the new innovation engine into a reality,” he said. “We are also working with several other federal agencies to advance domestic critical minerals production.” Each of the 12 new NSF Engines must meet clear goals to receive funding after the first two years. Funding for the NSF program also depends on approval from Congress. The first nine NSF Engines received funding in early 2024 and are beginning to show strong results. So far, $135 million in federal funding has attracted more than $2 billion in matching commitments from private companies, charitable organizations and state and local governments. “Our NSF Engine is built on the simple but ambitious idea that Alaska can lead the nation not only with the abundance of its critical mineral resources, but also in how we inno- vate, develop and deploy the tech- nologies needed to produce them responsibly. “By bringing together researchers, Alaska Native organizations, industry, workforce partners, state and federal agencies, national laboratories and communities, we are creating an engine that accelerates discovery into action.” — Dr. Lee Ann Munk, Director of UAF’s Alaska Critical Minerals Collaborative
Research assistant professor Florian Hofmann of the UAF Geophysical Institute’s Geochronology Lab explains the lab’s argon mass spectrometer. UAF Geophysical Institute photo
communities, we are creating an engine that acceler- ates discovery into action,” she said. Alaska contains 56 of the 60 minerals that the U.S. Geological Survey considers essential to the nation’s economy and national security. Supplies of these minerals could be disrupted because the United States depends heavily on other countries for them. Minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, graphite, germanium, gallium and rare earth elements are used in batteries, smartphones, computer chips, medical equipment, power grids, aircraft and defense technologies. “NSF Engines investment in critical technologies and future industries will transform America’s innova- tion infrastructure for decades to come,” said Brian Stone, performing the duties of NSF director. “The NSF Critical Mineral Accelerator Engine will strengthen workforce capacity and unlock new busi- ness and supply chain opportunities as it moves to unlock Alaska’s expansive critical mineral resources,” he said. The Alaska engine will bring together advanced technologies for mining, processing and purification. It will also use artificial intelligence to help locate mineral deposits and study new biological methods for extracting minerals. It will support industries such as manufacturing, materials development, artificial intelligence, bio- technology and energy technology. The engine will also expand workforce training and create paths to high-quality jobs, especially in remote Alaska communities. Gov. Mike Dunleavy and the Alaska Legislature pro- vided $500,000 in one-time funding. The funding depended on NSF selecting the Alaska project. “Alaska doesn’t only have a tremendous abundance of natural resources, but we also have tremendously talented people working to develop breakthrough technologies to further unlock Alaska’s resource potential and reduce America’s dependence on China for mineral processing,” Dunleavy said. “This support from the National Science Foundation reflects Alaska’s central role in innovative and responsible resource development.” Interim University of Alaska President Michelle Rizk said the engine shows what the university and its partners can accomplish by working together.
CRITICAL MINERAL ACCELERATOR ENGINE AT UAF WINS $15M GRANT
could receive as much as $160 million over 10 years. It is led by Lee Ann Munk of the UAF Geophysical Institute. Munk is also a geosciences professor in the UAF College of Natural Science and Mathematics. “Our NSF Engine is built on the simple but ambitious idea that Alaska can lead the nation not only with the abundance of its critical mineral resources,” Munk said, “but also in how we innovate, develop and deploy the technologies needed to produce them responsibly.” “By bringing together researchers, Alaska Native organizations, industry, workforce partners, state and federal agencies, national laboratories and
BY ROD BOYCE, UAF The U.S. National Science Foundation has announced that it will fund a major critical minerals project led by the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The regional collaboration aims to reduce the nation’s depen- dence on imported critical minerals used in everyday products and important to national security. The Alaska project was selected as one of the new NSF Regional Innovation Engines. NSF selected 12 teams working across 20 states. The NSF Critical Mineral Accelerator Engine in Alaska will receive $15 million during its first two years and
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THE ALASKA MINER - THE MAGAZINE OF THE ALASKA MINERS ASSOCIATION
SUMMER 2026 | ALASKAMINERS.ORG
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