**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Mines invites proposals from eligible institutions to be recognized as Centres of Excellence (CoE) under the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM). The initiative aims to promote research and innovation in the Critical Raw Materials sector in India. The deadline for proposal submissions is June 30, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Objective:** To foster focused research, innovation, and capacity building in the Critical Raw Materials sector through recognition of Centres of Excellence (CoE).
* **Eligibility:** Open to eligible institutions. Detailed eligibility conditions are specified in the CoE Guidelines.
* **Application Process:**
* Eligible institutes must submit proposals as per the enclosed proforma.
* A soft copy in PDF format must be emailed to met4-mines@gov.in.
* Proposals should be complete in all respects, following the CoE Guidelines.
* **Important Date:**
* Cut-off date for submission of proposals: June 30, 2025.
* The application process will be opened from time to time, depending on the need to recognize more CoEs.
* **Selection Process:**
* Shortlisted institutes will be invited to present their proposals separately.
* Institutes are encouraged to submit their proposals well in advance of the cut-off date for timely consideration.
* **Guidance Documents:**
* Guidelines for Centres of Excellence are available on the Ministry of Mines' website: [https://mines.gov.in/webportal/content/national-critical-mineral-mission](https://mines.gov.in/webportal/content/national-critical-mineral-mission).
* SATYABHAMA Portal: research.mines.gov.in.
* **Contact Information:**
* Deputy Secretary, S&T Section, Ministry of Mines, Room no. 349, A wing, Shastri Bhawan, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road, New Delhi - 110001.
* For further queries: met4-mines@gov.in.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Eligible Institutions**
* **Impact:** Opportunity to be recognized as Centres of Excellence (CoE) under the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), fostering research, innovation, and capacity building in the Critical Raw Materials sector.
* **Action Required:** Submit proposals as per the enclosed proforma before June 30, 2025, following the CoE Guidelines.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Mines**
* **Impact:** Facilitates research and development in the Critical Raw Materials sector, contributing to national goals and objectives.
* **Action Required:** Review and evaluate submitted proposals, select and invite shortlisted institutions to present, and communicate details of selection process separately.
**Stakeholder: Collaborative Partners (Industry and R&D Institute/Academia)**
* **Impact:** Will participate in the initiative as collaborative partners with the applicant institution (Hub), contributing to the development of research and technology in the Critical Raw Materials sector.
* **Action Required:** Collaborative Partners need to provide information as part of the proposal submission as outlined in Part I, B of the Proforma.
Key Entities Referenced
National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM): A program by the Ministry of Mines for research and development in critical raw materials in India.
Ministry of Mines: The primary ministry responsible for the National Critical Mineral Mission and the recognition of Centres of Excellence.
Centres of Excellence (CoE): Eligible institutions that are recognized for their research, innovation, and capacity building in the Critical Raw Materials sector.
SATYABHAMA Portal: An online portal where information related to the National Critical Mineral Mission is accessible.
New Delhi: Location of the Ministry of Mines office to which proposals are submitted.
F. No. Met4-13/1/2024
Government of India
Ministry of Mines
(S&T section)
3rd Floor, Shastri Bhawan
New Delhi, April 28, 2025
INVITATION FOR PROPOSALS
Subject: Recognition of Centre of Excellence under National Critical Mineral
Mission (NCMM).
The Ministry of Mines has issued the guidelines for Centres of Excellence under
the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM). The guidelines are available at the
Ministry of Mines’ website: https://mines.gov.in/webportal/content/national-critical-
mineral-mission, as well as in the SATYABHAMA Portal, which may be accessed at
research.mines.gov.in.
2. Under this initiative, the Ministry of Mines invites proposals from eligible institutions
for recognition as Centres of Excellence (CoE) to foster focused research, innovation
and capacity building in the Critical Raw Materials sector in India. The eligible institutes
may submit proposal as per the enclosed proforma to the Ministry of Mines at the
address given below, with a soft copy in PDF format to be emailed to met4-
mines@gov.in.
Deputy Secretary
S&T Section, Ministry of Mines
Room no. 349, A wing, Shastri Bhawan,
Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road, New Delhi - 110001
3. Broad areas of research, elements of CoE, eligibility condition and minimum sets
of elements for a CoE, evaluation criteria and procedure of evaluation/ approval/
funding are specified in the CoE Guidelines. All eligible institutes should follow the
instructions given in the said guidelines before submitting the proposals, complete in all
respects, to the Ministry of Mines.
4. The cut-off date for submission of proposals from eligible institutions for
recognition as a CoE is 30.06.2025. Thereafter, depending on the need to recognise
more CoEs, the application process will be opened from time to time.
5. Shortlisted institutes will be invited to present their proposals, details of which
will be communicated separately. All interested institutes are encouraged to submit their
proposals well in advance of the stated cut-off date to ensure timely consideration.
For further queries, please email us at: met4-mines@gov.in.PROFORMA FOR SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS BY THE PROSPECTIVE R&D
INSTITUTIONS / ACADEMIA FOR RECOGNITION AS A CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
FOR R&D IN CRITICAL RAW MATERIALS
PART-I: GENERAL INFORMATION
A. Detail of Institutional/Organizational Profile of applicant for CoE (Hub):
1. Name of the R&D institutions/ Academia (Hub):
2. Type and status (R&D Institution/Academia):
3. Address, contact details, and website:
4. Year of establishment:
5. Sources of funding for the institutions/ Academia:
6. Governing structure:
7. Financial pattern of the R&D institution/ academia:
B. Details of Collaborative Partners (Industry and R&D institute/Academia):
1. Proposed CoE will bring in at least two industry partners and at least two
academic partners:
a. Names and details of two industry (spoke) collaborating with applicant
(Hub):
b. Names and details of two R&D institute/academic (spoke) collaborating
with applicant (Hub):
2. Nature of collaboration (MoU, Research Partnership, Industry-Academia
Linkage):
3. Roles and responsibilities of each Collaborative Partners:
PART-II: DETAILS OF EXISTING MANPOWER: [To be provided by the applicant
for CoE (Hub) and R&D Institute/Academic (Spokes)]
1. Profiles of scientists, key researchers and faculty highlighting their expertise,
research contributions and professional experience in critical minerals.
2. Profile of Specialists in laboratory analysis, pilot-scale experimentation, process
optimization, detailing their specialized skills and roles in advancing critical
mineral research.
3. Profile of experts in process design, scale-up strategies and technological
innovations for beneficiation and extraction.
4. Details of Administrative and support staff including regular and contractual
personnel responsible for facilitating research operations, project management
and institutional coordination to ensure the effective functioning of the CoE.
PART-III: DETAILS OF INFRASTRUCTURE: [To be provided by the applicant for
CoE (Hub) and R&D Institute/Academic (Spokes)]
1. Total land area of the R&D institute/academia, including campus layout,
dedicated research zones and facility expansion potential.
2. Detailed overview of laboratory spaces, specialized research units, high-end
instrumentation and pilot-scale setups supporting advanced studies in critical
minerals and process technologies.
3. Status of registration with national research platforms such as FIST and iSTEM,
reflecting institutional recognition, funding access and integration with
technological advancements in critical minerals and related fields.PART-IV: STATUS OF RESEARCH: [To be provided by the applicant for CoE
(Hub) and R&D Institute/Academic (Spokes)]
1. Details of research papers published in Scopus and ABDC-listed journals in
critical minerals and allied area viz. material science, geology, mining,
metallurgy, etc. in last 3 years.
2. Details of patents filed and granted in Critical Mineral and allied area
3. Numbers of pilot scale project/ scale of operationalization and vision statement
for commercialization of developed technology related to Critical Mineral and
allied area.
4. Numbers of already developed technology for commercialization & Industry
Adoption Plans.
5. Existing strength in technology transfer for critical minerals and allied areas
(Material science, geology, mining, metallurgy)
6. Vision statement on technological advancements and contributions,
collaborations with institutes (including foreign institutes)/industries and actual
use of research into industries related to critical minerals and allied area.
PART-V: STATUS OF TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNICAL DETAILS:
[To be provided by the applicant for CoE (Hub) and R&D Institute/Academic
(Spokes)]
1. Details of developed flow sheets for Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3 to 4
or more for the extraction or beneficiation in the mining sector:
2. Details of Section 8 company, if set up, to develop commercially feasible
solutions for the research and technology developed by institute, including in
the field of mining, geology, metallurgy, material science and allied sectors
3. Details of ongoing and completed Research Projects funded by various
funding agencies of Govt. of India/ others:
4. Details and Revenue earned out of ongoing and completed Research Projects:
5. Details of existing core competence for critical minerals & metals:
6. Details of Collaborative work with foreign institute/industry partners and their
outcome:
7. Number of research projects being handled at present:
8. Number of research projects successfully commissioned and advanced to a
higher TRL level:
PART-VI: OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS DETAILS: [To be provided by the applicant for
CoE (Hub) and R&D Institute/Academic (Spokes)]
1. Skill Development and Training Programs:
2. Key achievements of the applicant during last 10 years:
PART-VII: DETAILS OF THE COLLABORATIVE INDUSTRY PARTNERS: [To be
provided by the applicant for at least two industry (Spokes)]
1. Details of revenue, including annual turnover and funding sources.
2. Describe the team, including technical & business expertise and mentors.
3. Outline the commercialization strategy, detailing utilization of technology to
create a product/service, its positioning & value addition for the intended
customers, plan for-go-to-market, challenges executed.
4. Explain the potential impact, including environmental sustainability, market size,
customer demographic & the technology's effect on these.PART-VIII: PROPOSED SET/ GROUP OF SETS FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF CENRE
OF EXCELLENCE (CoE)
1. Proposed sets for recognition of CoE (as per Annexure-II of CRM):
2. Details of targeted critical metals and sources of Critical Raw Materials:
3. Relevance and significance achievements in the proposed sets for centre of
excellence:
4. Objectives and expected outcomes in the targeted Critical Raw Materials sector:
PART-IX
1. Any additional information about the organisation for consideration of the PEMC
for setting up of the CoE at organisation/applicant.
(A separate page may be given if information is large)
(Signature)
Director of the Hub Institute