EV Battery Recycing & Reuse Accelerator

application information

Deadline: AUGUST 7, 2026

APPLICATION PERIOD: jun 22 - aug 7

Jump to Application Portal

What is an Accelerator?

WHO CAN APPLY?

An accelerator is a short-term program that helps organizations rapidly scale and grow by providing mentorship, consulting from subject matter/technical experts, and access to partner and funding networks.

The NextCycle Michigan Circular Economy Accelerator is a free six-month program that provides coaching and mentoring in business and operational planning, access to technical and circular economy expertise, connections to supply chain partners, identification of funding pathways, development of marketing strategies, and much more. The support is customized to each project to advance it toward implementation, where it can fill infrastructure, supply chain, or end market gaps and strengthen Michigan’s circular economy.

The cohort kicks off with an in-person two-day academy, followed by several months of virtual coaching and support, and finally culminates in a showcase where teams pitch their projects and compete for awards.

InformationAL Meeting

Eligible entities range from for-profit businesses, including early-stage start-ups and established companies, to universities, research groups, Tribal entities, non-profit organizations or public-sector agencies with solutions addressing target gaps and materials. Given the technical and regulatory complexity of EV batteries, teams without direct battery handling capability are encouraged to partner with a licensed processor, transporter, or OEM.

Join us for a VIRTUAL information meeting, we like to call an “Application Party”. We keep the meeting casual and fun - feel free to turn on your video and unmute to join the discussion. We want to see you succeed, so bring your questions, and our program facilitators will provide the answers.

PROJECT TYPES

EV BATTERY RECYCLING SOLUTIONS

This program targets recovery and circular solutions for large-format traction batteries (rechargeable batteries weighing more than 25 pounds or with a rating exceeding 2,000 watt-hours that power electric vehicle propulsion systems). Initiatives must address at least one type of eligible format from passenger vehicles, buses, fleet vehicles, etc. If the initiative involves repurposing large-format eligible batteries for use in smaller format applications, that remains eligible (i.e., repurposing passenger vehicle traction batteries for stationary energy storage or industrial equipment). However, solutions targeting only small-format batteries and consumer electronics batteries (non-EV) are out of scope for this track. A future NextCycle accelerator will focus on consumer battery recovery, reuse and recycling.

  • Collection Programs & Facilities

  • Logistics Solutions

  • Critical Mineral Recovery

  • Repurposing Applications

  • Black Mass Recovery

  • Diagnostic & Triage Facilities

  • Aggregation Hubs

  • EV Battery Transport Packaging

  • Monitoring & Tracking

  • Pilot Programs & Scaling

EXAMPLE PROJECTS:

VEOLECTRA
Repurposing used EV batteries to power portable energy stations to recharge EVs, emergency first responders, and off-grid power solutions. Through NextCycle, the team worked with coaches to refine the battery management system, understand regulatory/permitting issues, identify funding pathways, and connect with potential partners and key stakeholders.

GREAT LAKES RECYCLING
Safely recovering and dismantling EV batteries to be recycled or reused for new applications. The team leveraged NextCycle coaching to refine its operations plan, build out infrastructure for receiving EV batteries, strengthen worker safety training, establish connections with other EV battery recyclers, and explore funding opportunities.

COLD SPARK: Capturing critical minerals at cryomill plant for processing end of life EV batteries and e-waste

RECHARGE RECYCLING: Scaling collection, discharging, testing and refurbishment of EV batteries and EV battery components.

REVEX: Processing mine waste to recover critical minerals for re-entry into the supply chain aligned with recycling of EV batteries.

VMXI: Detroit-based battery recycler and supply chain partner supporting battery recovery and education

VOLT HARBOR: Innovating battery reuse solutions for battery energy storage systems (BESS) from retired EV batteries

Download information packet

The information packet details eligibility, project types, application requirements, and additional resources. Please review before you begin the online application process. Applications must be submitted through the online application portal.

Download the Information Packet

Cohort Timeline

  • APPLICATION DEADLINE

    AUG 7, 2026

  • TEAM SELECTION

    SEP 2026

  • TEAM ONBORDING

    SEP/OCT 2026

  • IN-PERSON ACADEMY

    OCT 2026

  • VIRTUAL COACHING & PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

    OCT 2026 - APR 2027

  • IN-PERSON SHOWCASE

    APR 2027

  • TEAM OFFBOARDING

    MAY 2027

Virtual Office Hours

Need additional assistance? Virtual office hours are available to provide one-on-one application support. Click on the NextCycle facilitator’s image below to schedule a 30-minute virtual meeting.

Featured
Steph Robinson
Steph Robinson
Erika Le
Erika Le

START YOUR APPLICATION HERE!

This is an online application process. When you click the button below, you will be sent to another website to complete the application. You can save your application and come back to complete it at a later date. Just be sure to submit by the deadline - AUGUST 7, 2026, 11:59 PM ET!

Go to Application Portal

Still have questions? Email us at: NextCycleMI@recycle.com