Sullivan Celebrates National Science Foundation Critical Mineral Accelerator Engine Coming to UAF

WASHINGTON-U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) today celebrated an announcement from the National Science Foundation (NSF) that the Alaska Critical Minerals Collaborative (ACMC), led by the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), has been selected as one of the new NSF Regional Innovation Engines. The designation could bring up to $160 million in funding to Alaska over the next 10 years and will help advance critical mineral development, innovation, and collaboration across Alaska and the United States.

"The new NSF Engine anchored at UAF, one of our nation's premier research universities, will position the United States to lead not only in mineral production but also in the technologies that make mining smarter, safer, and more sustainable," said Sen. Sullivan. "Alaska is home to 56 of the 60 minerals designated as 'critical' by the United States. That's why I've championed efforts in the Senate to secure our nation's critical mineral supply chains and realize Alaska's untapped mineral potential to reduce America's dangerous overreliance on China. ACMC's proposal is another mineral initiative that I strongly advocated for, including through several letters and conversations with the leadership of the National Science Foundation. Alaska's NSF mineral accelerator engine is one piece of a larger vision for UAF and our research institutions across the state that I've been pushing for years. UAF's recently announced collaboration with the Department of War is another sign of the growing recognition of Alaska's strategic importance and the state's emergence as a world-class hub for research and innovation, including now in the critical minerals sector. I want to congratulate members of the Alaska Critical Minerals Collaborative on all your hard work in putting forward such a strong proposal."

"Senator Sullivan has long recognized that Alaska's critical minerals are essential to America's economic future and national security," saidLee Ann Munk,director, Alaska Critical Minerals Collaborative. "His leadership in advancing domestic mineral development and secure supply chains has helped create the momentum that made this opportunity possible. We are grateful for his steadfast support and look forward to working together to ensure Alaska becomes the nation's leader in critical minerals innovation, technology, and workforce development."

Background

Sen. Sullivan has focused heavily on strengthening domestic critical mineral supply chains and ensuring that federal scientific investments translate into real-world competitiveness, national security, and durable economic growth.

Below is a timeline of Sen. Sullivan's recent advocacy for the ACMC proposal.

• In July 2025 and October 2025, Sen. Sullivan led two Alaska congressional delegation letters of support endorsing the ACMC proposal.

• In February 2026, Sen. Sullivan participated in a virtual site visit (roundtable) intended to provide NSF leaders and external reviewers with an Alaska leadership perspective as part of the ACMC's final application review process. Roundtable participants included University of Alaska (UA) President Pat Pitney, UAF Chancellor Mike Sfraga, Alaska Department of Natural Resources leadership, Alaska Native Corporation representatives, mining industry stakeholders, and research partners. During the roundtable, Sen. Sullivan emphasized Alaska's strategic importance to U.S. critical mineral supply chains, the strength of the cross-sector coalition supporting the engine, and his commitment to helping bridge federal coordination or policy gaps if ACMC's proposal is selected.

• In March 2026, Sen. Sullivan sent a follow-up letter to NSF leadership thanking them for the February 2026 roundtable and reiterating his support for the ACMC proposal.

• In June 2026, Sen. Sullivan met with Brian Stone, acting director of the NSF, and conveyed his support for the ACMC application to the NSF Regional Engines Program.

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