FY 2026 Continuation of Solicitation for the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program

The U.S. Department of Energy, through its Office of Science, has released its annual continuation of the solicitation for the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program. This program, authorized under 10 CFR 605 and first published as a final rule in 1992, represents the Department’s principal mechanism for supporting fundamental research across a wide spectrum of scientific disciplines. The program is designed to fund cutting-edge basic research that advances national priorities in energy, science, and technology, while also supporting the training and development of the scientific workforce in the United States. The solicitation provides opportunities for proposals in seven core program areas: Advanced Scientific Computing Research, Basic Energy Sciences, Biological and Environmental Research, Fusion Energy Sciences, High Energy Physics, Nuclear Physics, and Isotope Research and Development and Production. These areas reflect the Office of Science’s Congressionally authorized mission to advance scientific discovery, innovation, and knowledge creation. Applicants are encouraged to submit projects that align with these broad domains, and proposals may range from individual investigator awards to larger, collaborative research projects. Funding under this program is flexible but focused on advancing research within the defined mission scope. The estimated total program funding for the fiscal year is $500 million, with award sizes expected to range from $50,000 to $5,000,000. The program anticipates supporting approximately 500 awards during the funding cycle. Importantly, there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, which broadens participation and ensures that eligible applicants can apply regardless of financial constraints. Funds are generally intended for direct research activities, personnel, and allowable project expenses as outlined in DOE guidance. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and unrestricted, allowing applications from universities, national laboratories, non-profit organizations, state and local governments, tribal entities, and for-profit organizations. The intent is to cast a wide net to attract the best scientific talent and foster innovation across sectors. Applicants should consult 10 CFR 605 and program-specific guidelines for detailed requirements, including compliance with federal cost principles and administrative standards. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the fiscal year, with the solicitation remaining open until September 30, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time, or until superseded by a new issuance. This opportunity succeeds the prior continuation (DE-FOA-0003432) released in 2024. All submissions must be made electronically through Grants.gov, following the standard federal application process. Applicants should prepare complete proposals that include required narratives, budgets, and supporting documentation. Applications will be evaluated through DOE’s merit review process, which assesses scientific and technical merit, relevance to Office of Science priorities, applicant capabilities, and cost reasonableness. Successful applicants will be notified following review, and award terms will be set forth in cooperative agreements, grants, or other applicable instruments. Interested applicants may direct questions or difficulties in accessing the full announcement to the program’s designated contact at sc.opencall@science.doe.gov.

Align proposals with DOE mission; strong scientific merit essential