President Trump announced over $180 million in grants to enhance educational and trade programs for the mining industry on Friday, August 7th, 2026. The initiative is part of a broader effort to increase domestic production of critical minerals such as lithium, silicon, graphite, and rare-earth elements.

Trump unveiled the plans during a roundtable at the State Department with educational leaders from institutions including the Colorado School of Mines. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick also participated.

The Department of Energy is launching a $100 million grant program designed to expand the mining and critical mineral workforce by significantly increasing the number of graduates in these fields over the next two years. This program is expected to financially support scholarships and other educational initiatives, with eligibility extended to universities, community colleges, trade schools, industry groups, and other partners.

Additionally, the military is providing more than $80 million in funding to three universities: $32.7 million to the Colorado School of Mines for a technology development hub, $25 million to the South Dakota School of Mines for workforce development programs, and $23.6 million to Johns Hopkins University for a recycling-focused program.

These grant programs align with the Trump administration's ongoing push to boost U.S. critical mineral production. In June, the administration pledged $700 million in grants to coal plants and a coal export terminal and eased environmental regulations affecting the coal industry.

Sources