The U.S.-Argentina Lithium Tech & Transparency Initiative, administered by the U.S. Embassy Buenos Aires, supports an open competition for a program designed to strengthen technical knowledge, transparency, and standards-based approaches in Argentina’s lithium sector. The initiative engages provincial mining officials, environmental scientists, and university graduate students in the Lithium Triangle regions (Salta, Jujuy, and Catamarca) through workshops, expert exchanges, technical training, and applied learning activities. This program advances U.S. foreign policy priorities by promoting economic prosperity, transparent governance, supply chain resilience, and stronger U.S.-Argentina cooperation in strategic sectors.

Overview

The project goal is to strengthen transparent, technically sound, and U.S.-aligned approaches to lithium sector governance and supply chain standards in Argentina’s Lithium Triangle, in support of U.S.-Argentina cooperation on economic prosperity and supply chain resilience. The initiative provides a practical, high-value alternative to opaque investment and research practices by emphasizing merit-based, technically sound, and internationally credible approaches to lithium development and oversight. The expected outcome includes at least 80 percent of participants demonstrating increased understanding of U.S. regulatory best practices and the risks of opaque, closed-loop investment models, as well as a decrease in the time required to permit and receive licenses to explore and mine lithium in Argentina by 50 percent.

Funding and Benefits

• Total Program Funding: $100,000
• Expected Number of Awards: 1
• Award Minimum: $50,000
• Award Maximum: $100,000
• Funding Instrument Type: Cooperative Agreement
• Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: No
• Opportunity Category: Discretionary
• Category of Funding Activity: Energy infrastructure and critical mineral and materials
• Funding Opportunity Number: PDS-BUE-2026-04

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants: The following types of organizations may apply:

• Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations
• Public and private educational institutions
• Public International Organizations
• Governmental institutions

Additional eligibility information is available in the full listing.

Program Objectives and Activities

The program must address the following objectives:

• Objective 1: Increase technical knowledge among provincial mining officials, environmental scientists, and graduate students regarding transparent regulatory frameworks, responsible environmental oversight, and U.S. best practices for critical mineral supply chains.
• Objective 2: Strengthen participant understanding of the risks associated with opaque, closed-loop investment and research models in strategic sectors, and increase familiarity with transparent, merit-based alternatives.
• Objective 3: Build durable professional connections among regional stakeholders and U.S.-aligned experts, institutions, or models that can support future collaboration on lithium governance, transparency, and responsible development.

Illustrative activities include in-person or hybrid technical workshops, expert-led seminars, case studies on international best practices, university engagement activities for graduate students, applied exercises, simulation activities, policy labs, networking sessions, and follow-on dissemination or knowledge-sharing activities.

Application Process

Proposals must be submitted through Grants.gov. Applicants should clearly describe participant recruitment and selection, including geographic reach, professional profiles, and expected cohort size. The application must explain how proposed activities will directly support the stated objectives and expected outcomes. For complete submission instructions, refer to the official opportunity listing on Grants.gov.

Deadline and Timeline

• Closing Date: May 31, 2026
• Posted Date: April 16, 2026
• Archive Date: June 30, 2026

Contact Information

Grantor: Public Diplomacy Section, U.S. Embassy Buenos Aires, Argentina

Email: US-ArgentinaGrants@state.gov