# DOE Launches Idaho ASCEND Initiative

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Idaho National Laboratory (INL), and Momentum Technologies launched ASCEND on November 12, 2026, to identify barriers and investment opportunities in recovering and recycling critical materials from end-of-life electronics. The initiative will produce a techno-economic analysis, a supply-chain gap assessment, and a roadmap to inform future DOE investments and technical assistance. No solicitation, contract value, or process for contractor participation has been announced, so ASCEND is a planning initiative rather than an open procurement opportunity at this stage.

- The planned analysis may identify future needs for critical-materials recovery, recycling, processing, and supply-chain assessment capabilities.
- Companies with relevant technical expertise can use the initiative’s stated focus areas to assess their capabilities for potential follow-on DOE investments or technical assistance opportunities; no current bid or application action is specified.
- **No contract or funding opportunity has been announced.** Procurement teams should distinguish this roadmap effort from an active solicitation when planning near-term business development.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Energy & Utilities, Environment
**Topics:** Grants & Funding
**Published:** November 12, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
- Idaho National Laboratory (INL)
- Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation

### Vendors
- Momentum Technologies (Initiative host and critical-materials processing technology provider)

### Key Quotes
> We’re excited about the ASCEND collaboration because ideas from its launch will help us inform the U.S. Department of Energy by weighing costs, pinpointing gaps and recommending next steps.
> — Mahesh Konduru, CEO, Momentum Technologies

### Sources
- [Idaho National Laboratory, US Department of Energy’s Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation, Momentum Technologies launch ASCEND to strengthen US critical materials supply chain - Idaho National Laboratory](https://inl.gov/news-release/idaho-national-laboratory-u-s-department-of-energys-office-of-critical-minerals-and-energy-innovation-momentum-technologies-launch-ascend-to-strengthen-u-s-critical-materials-supply-chain) - Idaho National Laboratory (.gov)