The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office is launching the Re-X Before Recycling Prize, administered by the DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

This three-phase competition will award up to $5.6 million in federal funding and technical assistance at DOE’s national laboratories to participants who develop innovations to unlock new or expanded supply chains that can reintegrate end-of-use products into the economy via re-use, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing, and/or repurposing (collectively called “Re-X”) before recycling.

The prize is designed to stimulate innovation and private investment in circular economy approaches that can transform waste streams into diverse, integrated circular supply networks and contribute to a robust, environmentally sustainable economy.

Here’s more information about the prize:

• Phase 1, Identify!, is now open to submissions!
  • Apply on the HeroX site by March 12, 2024, at 5 p.m. ET.
  • Up to 20 winners will receive $50,000 in cash. Winners will also receive consulting support from a national laboratory (worth up to $5,000) to identify analysis that could help maximize their idea’s potential impact and benefits.
• Register to join the first informational webinar on Dec. 12, 2023, at 1 p.m. ET. If you can’t make the first one, register to attend the second informational webinar on Jan. 17, 2024, at 3 p.m. ET.
• View the official prize rules for more information, including eligibility requirements. 
• To share the contest with your network, please use the outreach and engagement toolkit, which includes recommended messaging, sample social media posts, and approved graphics/videos for amplification on your channels.  

We hope to see submissions from you, your organization, and/or your network!

Please reach out to Before.Recycling@nrel.gov with any questions.

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