The Genesis Mission: Transforming Science and Energy with AI

The Genesis Mission: Transforming Science and Energy with AI is a federal funding opportunity issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), specifically through the Office of Science in coordination with multiple DOE program offices including the Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation, Office of Environmental Management, Office of Nuclear Energy, Office of Electricity, and the Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office. This initiative is part of a broader national effort aligned with the Genesis Mission, which aims to accelerate scientific discovery and energy innovation through the integration of advanced artificial intelligence technologies. The program reflects DOE’s strategic priority to leverage AI to address complex challenges in energy, environment, and national security while maintaining U.S. leadership in science and technology. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support interdisciplinary research teams that can develop and apply novel AI models and frameworks to enhance research and development workflows. These efforts are expected to produce measurable advancements in scientific discovery, including improvements in predictive modeling, experimental design, automation, and data integration. The program emphasizes the use of DOE’s extensive scientific infrastructure, including national laboratories and large-scale datasets, and encourages collaboration across academia, industry, and government. Successful outputs may be integrated into national platforms such as the American Science Cloud to support broader scientific collaboration and innovation. Funding is structured across two phases. Phase I supports smaller teams with awards typically ranging from $500,000 to $750,000 over a period of approximately nine months, focusing on proof-of-concept demonstrations and validation of AI-enabled research approaches. Phase II supports larger, more comprehensive efforts, with funding levels envisioned at three to five times the Phase I amounts and project durations of up to three years. The total estimated program funding is approximately $293.76 million. Funding is provided through DOE’s Other Transaction Authority, which allows for flexible agreements that may differ from traditional federal grant structures. Eligibility for this opportunity is broadly inclusive, allowing applications from a wide range of domestic entities, including universities, national laboratories, industry partners, nonprofits, and other research organizations. However, applications must form multi-institutional teams that meet specific composition requirements, such as including partners from national laboratories, industry, and academic or nonprofit institutions. While membership in the Genesis Mission Consortium is not required, applicants are encouraged to engage with consortium resources for collaboration and partnership development. Cost sharing is generally not required for most applicants, but for-profit entities must provide a minimum cost share of 20 percent for research activities and up to 50 percent for demonstration projects. The application process involves multiple submission stages depending on the phase. For FY26 Phase I, full applications are due by April 28, 2026, while Phase II submissions include both a letter of intent due on April 28, 2026, and a full application due on May 19, 2026. Additionally, Phase II applications resulting from Phase I awards are due by December 17, 2026. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov and must comply with DOE requirements, including registration in SAM.gov and obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier. Applicants are advised to submit early and ensure all required components are included, such as technical narratives, budget justifications, and documentation of team structure and institutional commitments. Applications will be evaluated based on scientific and technical merit, the potential for AI-driven innovation, feasibility of the proposed approach, and the qualifications and collaboration structure of the team. DOE will also assess the likelihood of achieving transformative outcomes and the ability to contribute to broader Genesis Mission goals. Selected applicants will undergo a negotiation process before award issuance, and projects will be subject to DOE reporting and compliance requirements throughout the period of performance. For additional information or assistance, applicants may contact the program team via [email protected].

Focus on demonstrating measurable AI-driven scientific impact; ensure strong interdisciplinary team composition; leverage DOE resources and data infrastructure