The Genesis Mission: Transforming Science and Energy with AI

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science, in collaboration with multiple sub-agencies including the Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation, Office of Environmental Management, Office of Electricity, Office of Nuclear Energy, and the Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office, has announced a transformative funding opportunity under the Genesis Mission initiative. The opportunity, titled "The Genesis Mission: Transforming Science and Energy with AI," seeks to fund interdisciplinary teams to develop and apply advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models and frameworks to accelerate scientific discovery and energy innovation. The overarching aim is to leverage AI to meet critical national goals in energy, environment, and national security, while also contributing to foundational scientific advancements through collaborative research. This initiative is framed within the broader Genesis Mission, as defined by Executive Order 14363, which outlines a national strategy for AI-accelerated innovation in science and technology. Through this funding opportunity, DOE will support both Phase I (small team) and Phase II (large team) applications addressing 21 broad topic areas, including advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, critical materials, nuclear fission and fusion, quantum information science, semiconductors, discovery science, and energy. The solicitation explicitly encourages the use of DOE’s extensive scientific resources such as the National Laboratories and the American Science Cloud infrastructure. Phase I teams are expected to establish clear research workflows and provide quantitative evidence of potential AI advantage, such as improved predictive power or experimental acceleration. Phase II projects will expand upon promising Phase I outcomes, scaling up in size and scope. While Phase I awards are not a prerequisite for Phase II submission, a separate LOI process will be required for Phase II applicants. DOE anticipates a total program funding pool of approximately $293.76 million, drawing from both current and prior fiscal years. Phase I awards will range from $500,000 to $750,000 over a nine-month period, while Phase II awards may be 3 to 5 times larger, extending up to three years. For-profit organizations are subject to a cost share requirement of at least 20% for R&D and 50% for demonstration projects. Other institutional applicants, including non-profits and educational institutions, are generally not subject to mandatory cost sharing. However, all applicants are strongly encouraged to demonstrate institutional or third-party commitments through the provision of resources, space, or faculty time to strengthen their proposals. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is broad but structured. Domestic entities of all types may apply, except certain nonprofit organizations engaging in lobbying. DOE/NNSA National Laboratories, FFRDCs, and other federal agencies are eligible but must apply as direct applicants rather than as subrecipients. Each team must be multi-institutional in composition, with Phase I teams including at least two of the following: a DOE/NNSA lab or user facility, an industry partner, and a higher education or nonprofit organization. Phase II teams must include at least one partner from both a national lab and industry, with higher education/nonprofit institutions strongly encouraged. The submission process includes key deadlines: Phase I applications are due by April 28, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET; Phase II Letters of Intent are due the same day by 5 PM ET; and Phase II applications are due by May 19, 2026. Applications for follow-on Phase II awards stemming from Phase I recipients are due December 17, 2026. Applications must be submitted through the appropriate Grants.gov system and require multiple documents including a project narrative, budget justification, and demonstration of team composition. DOE will host an informational webinar on March 26, 2026, to support potential applicants. Reviews will be based on responsiveness, scientific merit, team qualifications, and alignment with DOE goals. The program email for inquiries is [email protected]. Successful projects are expected to integrate their data and AI models into the Genesis Mission platform, particularly through the American Science Cloud and the Transformational AI Models Consortium. All teams will be required to participate in coordination activities and ensure their outputs are accessible, reusable, and interoperable within the DOE infrastructure. DOE’s goal is to ensure that AI-developed tools lead to real-world transformation in science and energy delivery. Future rounds of this funding opportunity are expected, and DOE has indicated a plan to amend or reissue this RFA for FY27 and beyond.

Demonstrate clear AI advantage and use national lab resources; follow team structure requirements closely.