The Providing Opportunities for Specialized Education in Critical Technologies (PROSPECT) Implementation Prize is now open! 

The PROSPECT Implementation Prize will award up to $70 million to support academic institutions in activating, implementing, and demonstrating progress within new and/or existing programs to expand the domestic critical minerals and materials supply chain workforce. Eligible U.S.-based schools are challenged to implement a connected education-to-employment pathway that links recruitment and awareness, pathway entry and enrollment, education and training, credential or degree completion, career-connected experience, and employment or continued education.

The $70 million* prize pool is offered across three anticipated phases:

  • Phase 1: Activate | Approximately $60 million prize pool | Up to 16 winners

Recognizes completed implementation plans, as well as launch and readiness actions and early implementation. 

  • Anticipated Phase 2: Progress | Approximately $10 million | Up to 16 winners

Recognizes demonstrated implementation and competitor results.

  • Anticipated Phase 3: Document| Approximately $160,000 | Up to 16 winners 

Recognizes final outcomes and complete documentation of program results and lessons learned.

*Phase amounts do not add to $70 million because they are dependent on response rate and application quality.

The PROSPECT Implementation Prize follows the recently completed PROSPECT Planning Prize, which awarded funding to universities for developing comprehensive workforce-expansion plans. The Implementation Prize focuses on executing workforce development programs and demonstrating measurable results.

A recording of the PROSPECT Implementation Prize informational webinar is now available. Competitors are encouraged to watch the recording, read the rules, and submit questions to . All questions that come to this inbox will be answered publicly on the HeroX FAQ page. 

Submissions are due no later than Nov. 25 by 5 p.m. ET. The prize administrators look forward to seeing your critical minerals workforce development plans implemented across the nation!