Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRCs)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through its Office of Science (SC) and the Basic Energy Sciences (BES) program, is re-issuing a funding opportunity for the Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRCs) initiative. Originally launched to foster high-impact, multidisciplinary research in the energy sciences, the EFRC program has become a cornerstone of the DOE’s mission to support fundamental scientific discovery in energy-relevant fields. With this re-competition, the DOE seeks both new applicants and renewals from existing EFRCs to continue advancing knowledge in materials sciences, chemical sciences, geosciences, and biosciences. The EFRC program is notable for bringing together researchers from universities, DOE National Laboratories, and other institutions to solve complex scientific challenges that cannot be addressed through smaller or individual efforts. The purpose of the EFRC program is to accelerate scientific breakthroughs by forming cohesive, multi-investigator teams that tackle key basic science questions related to energy. These centers are expected to integrate experimental and theoretical approaches, including computation and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), to deliver transformative results. The 2026 competition invites proposals under two categories: topics derived from prior BES reports and four designated special topics. Special topics include AI/ML integration in materials science, quantum phenomena for computing, emergent behavior in complex chemical systems, and research into critical minerals and materials (CMM). Applications must explicitly align with the research directions and opportunities outlined in these BES planning documents. Funding under this opportunity is projected at $352 million in total, with approximately $88 million available annually, contingent on future appropriations. Individual centers may receive between $3 million and $4.5 million per year, totaling $12 million to $18 million across the four-year project period. Applications from new centers are expected to request less in the first year to allow time for ramp-up. While renewal centers may receive funding below the standard minimum for closeout purposes, the average annual award is expected to be around $4 million after the first year. The DOE anticipates making awards with 12-month budget periods, and funding for subsequent years will depend on progress reviews, submission of required reports, and adherence to award terms. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is broad and inclusive, allowing applications from nearly all U.S.-based organizations, including public and private higher education institutions, for-profits, nonprofits, and government-affiliated laboratories, with the exception of 501(c)(4) nonprofits engaged in lobbying activities. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), National Laboratories, and other federal agencies may participate as subrecipients. All proposals must be led by an institution that has submitted a pre-application, and the EFRC Director (Principal Investigator) must be in a permanent position at the lead institution. Institutions may submit up to three pre-applications or applications as a lead, and individual researchers may only serve as EFRC Director on one proposal. The submission process requires a mandatory pre-application, due April 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET, with responses indicating encouragement or discouragement issued by May 6, 2026. Full applications are due by July 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. Only applicants encouraged to submit may proceed to the full application stage. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov, while pre-applications are submitted through the DOE's Portfolio Analysis and Management System (PAMS). The NOFO includes specific formatting and content requirements for project narratives, including mission statements, research goals, management plans, and data-sharing strategies. Evaluation of proposals will focus on scientific merit, proposed methods, team competency, strength of the management plan, quality of the data-sharing plan, and the appropriateness of the budget. The DOE will also consider broader programmatic balance, career-stage diversity, and alignment with national scientific priorities. Selected EFRCs must plan for participation in principal investigator meetings in 2027 and 2029 and will undergo progress reviews during their project lifecycle. Awards are anticipated by the fourth quarter of FY2026, with project starts expected in August 2026. Although recurring, this NOFO’s issuance does not guarantee future solicitations on the same schedule, and awardees should plan accordingly.

Use required Excel/PDF templates; Align research goals to PRDs/PROs or Special Topics; Justify need for team-based center approach; Ensure distinctiveness from prior EFRCs or existing centers.