NSERC Funding decisions
Funding Prizes About Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

Funding decision

ARCHIVED – Call for proposals: Critical minerals research

The table below shows the last 5 years of funding recipients by the year they applied.

You can find older results by searching NSERC’s Awards Database.

For more detailed breakdowns and data visualizations, visit the Alliance dashboard.

Year Researcher Project Title Institution Partner(s) Area(s) of Application Funding Amount Type of Call
2023 Roué, Lionel Étude de concentrés de graphite issus du recyclage des batteries Li-ion Institut national de la rech scientifique Green Graphite Technologies; Kingston Process Metallurgy Inc. Waste, waste management and recycling; Energy storage and conversion 360000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Fayek, Mostafa The formation of critical metal deposits in Manitoba: implications for exploration and minimizing environmental impact. University of Manitoba Grid Metals Corp.; New Age Metals Inc. Earth sciences; Natural resources (economic aspects) 1497950 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Tharmalingam, Sujeenthar A microbial sponge to mine the critical mineral gallium Laurentian University Bio-Mine Ltd. Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Life sciences (including biotechnology) 600000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Young, Steven Lumet - Sustainability standards and traceability of critical minerals value-chains University of Waterloo Canadian Critical Minerals and Materials Alliance; Teck Resources Limited; Weber Manufacturing Technologies Inc. Environmental impact of economic activities (including agriculture); Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing) 1040701 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Zhao, Yang Direct Recycling of Spent Solid-state Lithium and Sodium Batteries Western University Natural Resources Canada Energy storage and conversion; Materials sciences 895000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Pan, Yuanming Synchrotron characterization on the surface chemistry of spodumene and other lithium silicates: Toward efficient and sustainable development of Canadian lithium pegmatites University of Saskatchewan Newpath Resources Inc.; Pan American Energy Corp.; Rock Tech Georgia Lake Inc.; University of Saskatchewan Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Earth sciences 770498 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Maclachlan, Mark Innovative Supramolecular Approaches for the Separation of Critical Metals The University of British Columbia BC Research Inc. Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Waste, waste management and recycling 1039044 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Kaake, Loren Capacitive direct Lithium extraction for sustainable battery production Simon Fraser University Mangrove Water Technologies Ltd.; PolyAnalytik Inc.; Summit Nanotech; Telescope Innovations Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Energy resources (including production, exploration, processing, distribution and use) 1096000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Williams-Jones, Anthony Lithium in Pegmatites - from Source to Sink McGill University Critical Elements Lithium Corporation; James Bay Minerals; Loyal Lithium; North Arrow Minerals Inc.; Winsome Resources Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Earth sciences 1086150 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Ponnurangam, Sathish Environmentally Sustainable Extraction of Critical Minerals from Alberta's Resources University of Calgary Blue Eden Cleantech Solutions Inc.; Summit Nanotech Waste, waste management and recycling; Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing) 621000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Li, Yuning Developing an affordable, portable/wearable sensor for Nickel Carbonyl monitoring and detection in Nickel manufacturing University of Waterloo Vale Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Manufacturing processes and products 498400 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Larson, Kyle An integrated source to sink approach to characterizing critical metals enrichment in magmatic-hydrothermal deposits The University of British Columbia Enduro Metals Energy resources (including production, exploration, processing, distribution and use); Earth sciences 830170 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Zhang, Yan Characterization and solvent extraction of rare earth elements Memorial University of Nfld E-Tech Resources Inc.; Torrent Capital Ltd. Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Manufacturing processes and products 801000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Hickey, Kenneth Unlocking Canada's sedimentary rock-hosted critical metal potential The University of British Columbia Fireweed Zinc Ltd.; Government of British Columbia; Government of Northwest Territories; Teck Metals Ltd; Yukon Geological Survey Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Earth sciences 1466600 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Sain, Mohini Molecular designing of Albany Graphite for broader energy market University of Toronto Zentek Ltd. Materials performance; Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing) 441000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Holuszko, Maria Ewelina Recovery of Gallium and Rare Earth Elements (REE) from LED waste using sustainable bioprocess The University of British Columbia BC Electrical Services Ltd.; Contact Environmental Inc.; NeoCtech Corp. Waste, waste management and recycling; Advancement of knowledge 439000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Liu, Qi Recovery and Utilization of REE, Ti and Zr Minerals from Alberta Oil Sands Froth Treatment Tailings University of Alberta CVW CleanTech Inc.; InnoTech Alberta Electrical energy; Manufacturing processes and products 1400000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Wang, Xiaolei Battery Recycling for Efficient Utilization of Critical Minerals and Circular Economy University of Alberta Alberta Lithium Battery Company; Kemetco Research Inc. Energy storage and conversion; Waste, waste management and recycling 1326000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Lecumberri-Sanchez, Pilar Cobalt in the Northwest Territories University of Alberta Fortune Minerals Limited; Northwest Territories Geological Survey Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Earth sciences 378620 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Dollé, Mickael Circular economy of graphite anode for Li-ion batteries: sustainable approaches to turn old into new Université de Montréal Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. Waste, waste management and recycling; Energy storage and conversion 750006 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Laflamme, Crystal Controls on nickel, copper, cobalt ore horizons in the Ungava Orogen, Nunavik, Quebec: Towards developing vectoring tools Université Laval Min de l'énergie et ressources naturelles; Mine Raglan Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing) 543640 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Pickles, Christopher Pilot scale microwave assisted-comminution and downstream processing of copper and copper-molybdenum ores Queen's University Ausenco; Eriez; Sepro Mineral Systems Corp.; The Metals Company Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Energy efficiency 1076000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Piercey, Stephen Geology, Mineralogy, and Genesis of Critical Mineral-Bearing Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide (VMS) Deposits Memorial University of Nfld Government of British Columbia; Government of Newfoundland and Labrador; Murchison Minerals Ltd. Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Natural resources (economic aspects) 718360 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Tessitore, Gabriella Photocatalytic Remediation Improving Mining Economy and Sustainability (PRIMES) Université Laval Torngat Metals Ltd. Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Waste, waste management and recycling 639000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Jones, David Next generation sensors for critical minerals The University of British Columbia Enersoft; MineSense Technologies Ltd.; Natural Resources Canada; Teck Resources Limited Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Earth sciences 1361000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Dang, Duc Huy The mixed blessings of rare earth elements as critical minerals Trent University City of Markham; Friends of the Muskoka Watershed; MELCCFP; V6 Agronomy; Woodleigh Farms Ltd. Agriculture and primary food production; Environment 1500000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Gagnon, Joel Toward an integrated genetic model for the MacIlvenna Bay Cu-Zn-Au Deposit, Northern Saskatchewan University of Windsor Foran Mining Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Earth sciences 438000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Aranas, Clodualdo Rare-earth-free permanent magnets with high energy density for electric vehicles University of New Brunswick Dana TM4 Inc.; Natural Resources Canada; Victory Advanced Tech Manufacturing processes and products; Materials performance 1300000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Beauchemin, Diane Swift analysis methods to support the development of mines of critical minerals Queen's University Actlabs Instrumentation technology; Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing) 397410 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Rezai, Pouya Portable and sensitive platform technologies for rapid isolation, detection, and quantification of critical minerals in fluids: from mine exploration to electronics recycling York University Elomatic Consulting Inc.; Frontier Lithium Inc.; pH7 Technologies; RecycLiCo; Sixth Wave Innovations Inc. Materials sciences; Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing) 1486000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Galli, Federico Concentration des métaux stratégiques issus de la mine urbaine par procédé hydrothermal Université de Sherbrooke enim Waste, waste management and recycling; Manufacturing processes and products 892485 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Huang, Gordon Development of an enhanced lithium recovery system integrated with composite selective materials University of Regina Ground Effects Environmental Services Inc. Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Environment 875000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Gibson, Charlotte The beneficiation of lithium minerals from low-grade deposits Queen's University Primero; Rock Tech Georgia Lake Inc. Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Engineering 772900 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Zou, Yu Recycling, Advanced Manufacturing and Post-Processing of Rare Earth Permanent Magnets University of Toronto National Research Council Canada; Natural Resources Canada Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Manufacturing processes and products 1500000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Zhao, Benzhong Optimizing subsurface mining technologies for sustainable lithium production from brines McMaster University E3 Lithium; Natural Resources Canada Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing) 379970 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Niewczas, Marek Development of High Strength, High Electrical Conductivity Aluminum Alloys for the Replacement of Copper in Electrical Applications McMaster University Natural Resources Canada Materials performance; Primary metal products (ferrous and non-ferrous) 645320 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Holmden, Chris Oilfields to batteries--using oilfield-brines to decipher the origin of Li in Saskatchewan's subsurface brine resource University of Saskatchewan Isobrine Solutions; Ministry of Energy and Resources; ROK Resources Inc.; University of Saskatchewan Energy resources (including production, exploration, processing, distribution and use); Primary metal products (ferrous and non-ferrous) 1389483 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Gilmore, Colin Advances in Time-Domain Electromagnetic Surveys for Critical Minerals University of Manitoba EarthEx Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Electrical and electronic machinery and equipment (including computer hardware) 682212 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Higgins, Drew Recovery of zinc and manganese dioxide from spent rechargeable zinc-ion batteries and reuse in freshly prepared electrodes McMaster University Salient Energy Inc. Energy storage and conversion; Waste, waste management and recycling 633000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Li, Ge Green Graphite Production, Fast-Charging Battery Application, and Recycling University of Alberta E3 Lithium; FPInnovations; Natural Resources Canada Materials sciences; Engineering 896400 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Ansdell, Kevin Life cycle assessment of critical minerals in a copper-zinc system University of Saskatchewan Foran Mining; Government of Saskatchewan; Ministry of Energy and Resources; University of Saskatchewan Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Environmental impact of economic activities (including agriculture) 1162800 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Habib, Komal Beyond Lithium: Establishing resource efficient circularity pathways for urban mines of battery materials in Canada University of Waterloo ES Recycle; Nickel Institute; Weber Manufacturing Technologies Inc. Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Engineering 501500 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Zhang, Jin Graphene-Enhanced solutions for magnetic critical minerals detection and extraction from electronic waste Western University Zentek Ltd. Manufacturing processes and products; Ceramic, glass and industrial mineral products 519000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Blewett, Tamzin Assessing the ecological risk associated with critical mineral extraction in Northern ecosystems University of Alberta Canadian High Arctic Research Station; Cobalt Institute; Copper Development Association Inc.; International Zinc Association; Nickel Producers Environmental Res Assn Environmental impact of economic activities (including agriculture); Environment 1032319 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Gu, Frank Critical Resource Extraction using Sustainable Techniques (CREST) University of Toronto Glencore Canada Corporation; MIRARCO - Mining Innovation; Natural Resources Canada Water; Environment 1500000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Goward, Gillian Assessing the Circular Economy for Endangered Elements Needed in Lithium Ion Batteries: Advanced Characterization of Recycled Materials and LIB Performance McMaster University Li-Cycle Corp. Materials sciences; Energy storage and conversion 1110000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Partin, Camille Unlocking Canada's rare earth element (REE) potential: a multidisciplinary approach to understand high-grade critical REE mineralization in northern Saskatchewan University of Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Research Council; Searchlight Resources; Skyharbour Resources Ltd.; Tisdale Clean Energy Corp.; University of Saskatchewan Earth sciences 807218 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Singh, Chandra Veer Sustainable development of solid-state battery materials (SuBMat) University of Toronto Electrovaya Corp.; Hatch Ltd.; National Research Council Canada Energy storage and conversion; Manufacturing processes and products 775500 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Waters, Kristian Mineral to materials - lithium for batteries McGill University Primero Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Natural resources (economic aspects) 1098420 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Demopoulos, George Development of sustainable direct recycling and upcycling technologies for spent Li-ion battery cathodes McGill University Arkema Inc.; Electrovaya Corp.; Hatch Ltd.; Lithion Recycling; National Research Council Canada; Targray Technology International Inc. Energy storage and conversion; Waste, waste management and recycling 1397400 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Benoit, Michael Laser cladding of nickel superalloy Inconel 686 for resilient zinc processing infrastructure University of Waterloo Teck Resources Limited Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Manufacturing processes and products 452250 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Crowe, Sean Applying genomics to the discovery of critical minerals under cover The University of British Columbia Geoscience BC; Teck Resources Limited Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Life sciences (including biotechnology) 535177 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Roesler, Roland Selective extraction of rare earth elements from Canadian resources University of Calgary Summit Nanotech Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Energy efficiency 1500000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Hassani, Faramarz Innovative Microwave Solutions for Critical Mineral Continuous Excavation and Sustainable Processing McGill University Finkl Steel - Sorel; IGS IMPACT GLOBAL SOLUTIONS INC.; Splendor Titanium Inc. Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing) 1364000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Howarth, Ashlee Metal-Organic frameworks for optimizing efficiency of Rare Earth element extraction and separation Concordia University RecycFluo; Torngat Metals Ltd. Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Materials performance 1331916 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Ofori-Opoku, Nana Sustainable critical mineral recovery: advancing CO2 sequestration and mineral extraction McMaster University Rockburst Technologies Inc. Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Climate and atmosphere 1477450 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Dixon, David Development of a novel technology for the recovery of copper from tailings The University of British Columbia Jetti Resources Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Natural resources (economic aspects) 300000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Scott, John Microalgal biosorption of critical minerals from mining related tailing ponds - recovering key metals to better protect aquatic systems and water supplies. Laurentian University Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Environment 530990 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Demers, Isabelle Valorisation des stériles d'une mine québécoise de graphite Univ du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue Intersand Group Canada Inc.; Northern Graphite Corporation Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Waste, waste management and recycling 540000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Archibald, Donnelly The origin of lithium resources in southern Newfoundland St. Francis Xavier University Benton Resources; Government of Newfoundland and Labrador; Piedmont Lithium Inc; Sokoman Minerals Corp. Natural resources (economic aspects); Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing) 1322000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Hsiao, Amy Sustainable Assets with Value for Energy and Manufacturing (SAVEM) University of Prince Edward Island MDS Coating Technologies Corporation; Michelin North America (Canada) Inc.; Wind Energy Institute of Canada Energy resources (including production, exploration, processing, distribution and use); Manufacturing processes and products 870000 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Estep, Donald Joint Stochastic Inversion for Data-Informed Low-Impact Mining of Critical Minerals Simon Fraser University Ideon Technologies Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing); Earth sciences 638530 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Lelievre, Peter Integration of Geophysical and Geological Information Through Novel Inverse Methods Designed for Mineral Exploration Mount Allison University Mira Geoscience Ltd; Teck Resources Limited; Vale Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing) 625500 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Diak, Bradley Bringing Canadian rare earth elements into wrought aluminum alloy production stream for advanced structural and electrical applications Queen's University Hazelett Castechnology ULC; Kingston Process Metallurgy Inc.; Natural Resources Canada; Ucore Rare Metals Inc. Materials sciences; Energy storage and conversion 1437378 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Haelssig, Jan Development of an ultra-high temperature electro-thermal fluidized bed for graphite purification University of Ottawa Hatch Ltd.; Natural Resources Canada; Nouveau Monde Graphite Inc. Manufacturing processes and products; Mineral resources (prospecting, exploration, mining, extraction, processing) 649750 Missions - Critical minerals research
2023 Liu, Jian Recycling and Upcycling of Graphite Anodes from Spent Lithium-ion Batteries The University of British Columbia E-One Moli Energy (Canada) Limited; Metal Tech Alley Energy storage and conversion; Materials performance 992348 Missions - Critical minerals research
Missions_Critical_minerals_funding_decisions-decisions_financement_Missions_minéraux_critiques_e.csv (21.63 KB)