WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Energy is opening a $293 million funding opportunity aimed at accelerating scientific breakthroughs using artificial intelligence across multiple industries, including energy, manufacturing, and biotechnology.
What This Means for You
- Federal funding will support AI-driven research in energy and science
- Universities, companies, and national labs can compete for grants
- Projects could influence future energy, manufacturing, and tech innovation
The funding, part of the agency’s Genesis Mission initiative, invites interdisciplinary teams to develop new artificial intelligence tools and models to address more than 20 national challenges.
What the Genesis Mission Aims to Do
The Genesis Mission is a federal initiative focused on using advanced AI systems to solve complex scientific and engineering problems across sectors such as nuclear energy, critical materials, biotechnology, and quantum computing.
Officials said the effort is designed to bring together researchers from national laboratories, private industry, and universities to collaborate on large-scale challenges.
“The Genesis Mission has caught the imagination of our scientific and engineering communities to tackle national challenges in the age of AI,” said Under Secretary for Science Darío Gil.
How the Funding Will Work
The Department of Energy outlined a two-phase funding structure for applicants:
- Phase I: Awards between $500,000 and $750,000 for projects lasting nine months
- Phase II: Awards between $6 million and $15 million for projects lasting up to three years
Teams may apply directly to either phase, and those selected in Phase I may later compete for larger Phase II funding.
Key Deadlines and Application Details
The Department of Energy set the following deadlines for applicants:
- April 28, 2026: Phase I applications and Phase II letters of intent due
- May 19, 2026: Phase II applications due
An informational webinar about the funding opportunity is scheduled for March 26, 2026.
Full application details are available through the official funding notice (DE-FOA-0003612) and on the Department of Energy’s website: https://science.osti.gov/Funding-Opportunities
Focus on Collaboration and Innovation
Officials said the program is intended to encourage new partnerships across research institutions and industries.
“With these investments we seek breakthrough ideas and novel collaborations leveraging the scientific prowess of our National Laboratories, the private sector, universities, and science philanthropies,” Gil said.
The agency expects the funded projects to contribute to long-term advancements in science, energy systems, and emerging technologies.
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