The Rio Tinto Centre for Future Materials is a global research centre, of which ANU is the only Australian partner. The Centre, created with an investment of US$150m from Rio Tinto over ten years, aims to transform the way materials are sourced, processed, used and recycled, to make them more environmentally, economically and socially sustainable.
A collaboration between six world-leading partners, the Centre brings together cutting-edge research and industry expertise. At its core is Rio Tinto, one of the world’s largest and most influential mining and materials companies, and Imperial College London – a global top ten university. The Centre acts as a hub for collaboration with four other global institutions: The University of British Columbia, Vancouver; The University of California, Berkeley; The University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg; and The Australian National University, Canberra.
The Centre’s mission is to deliver breakthrough materials and processes, from low-carbon iron and steel to critical minerals and circular supply-chains, that enable the global energy transition while embedding environmental, social and economic responsibility at every stage.
ANU will play a key role in ensuring that First Nations cultural knowledge and perspectives are central to the global energy transition.
Research
The Centre co-creates programmes of work around grand challenges, looking for radical and impactful science, bold and transdisciplinary ideas, and deep and inclusive collaboration.
Grand Challenge I: Delivering future materials for the energy transition with integrity: The Cu challenge.
Grand Challenge II: Circularity of Energy Storage Materials
Expressions of Interest for Grand Challenge II Projects
Grand Challenge II Expressions of Interest are now open, closing April 2026. Contact rtcfm@anu.edu.au for information on how to submit an EoI.
Join the Future Materials Network @ ANU
The ANU future materials network invites researchers from all ANU Colleges whose research focuses on future materials and resources for the energy transition or related themes.
If you would like to become involved in the Centre and the broader network at ANU, please email rtcfm@anu.edu.au to be added to the network list.
ANU part of new $US150M partnership with Rio Tinto to support global energy transition
ANU will partner with Rio Tinto to ensure First Nations cultural knowledge and perspectives are central to the global energy transition.
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