The Genesis Mission: Transforming Science and Energy with AI
🏛 Office of Science
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 19, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for interdisciplinary teams applying AI to solve DOE science and energy challenges. Eligible applicants include National Laboratories, academia, U.S. industry, and fiscally-sponsored projects. Teams can work on advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, critical materials, nuclear fission/fusion, quantum science, semiconductors, discovery science, or energy topics. Phase I supports small teams; Phase II supports larger teams pursuing Phase I concepts forward. Cost sharing is required. See the Genesis Mission National Science and Technology Challenges document for detailed topic focus areas.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
The DOE Office of Science (SC), Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI), Office of Environmental Management (EM), Office of Nuclear Energy (NE), Office of Electricity (OE), and Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Office (HGEO) hereby announce interest in receiving applications from interdisciplinary teams addressing the Genesis Mission National Science and Technology Challenges to accelerate scientific discovery and research and development (R&D) workflows using novel artificial intelligence (AI) models and frameworks. By achieving AI advantage, these teams will advance the DOE’s mission and ensure America’s security and prosperity by addressing energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges through science and technology. Teams are encouraged to leverage the extensive scientific and data resources of the DOE/National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the National Laboratories, U.S. industry, and academia. The resulting AI models and workflows, if successful, may be integrated into the American Science Cloud.
DOE is soliciting new FY26 Phase I small team and Phase II large team applications in the following topic areas: advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, critical materials, nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, quantum information science, semiconductors and microelectronics, discovery science, and energy (see specific focus areas in Section III Program Descriptions).
In addition, this RFA will remain available to allow the recipients of FY26 Phase I awards to apply for larger team Phase II awards. In a few weeks, DOE plans to amend the RFA to clarify the LOI and application guidelines for FY26 Phase II awards. In FY27, DOE plans to amend the RFA or to issue an alternative funding opportunity to update the topic and focus areas to allow a second competition of Phase I small team applications and Phase II large team applications.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (federal application form)
- Project Narrative/Proposal
- Budget and Budget Narrative (cost sharing breakdown required)
- Team resumes/bios
- Letters of commitment from partner organizations
- Description of Genesis Mission topic focus area and relevance
Program contact
- 👤 Michael S Zarkin Grants Management Specialist
- 📧 GenesisMissionNOFO@science.doe.gov
- 📞 301-903-4946
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 81.049 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$1,250,640,884
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$836,082,435
-
$396,718,000
-
$241,000,000
-
$237,065,653
-
$211,031,477
-
$126,425,786
-
$123,402,593
-
$78,691,103
-
$78,303,346
Top States by Funding
- CA 19 awards $1,830.5M
- MI 6 awards $1,414.9M
- MA 12 awards $375.3M
- IL 5 awards $351.2M
- WI 5 awards $343.9M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 81.049). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2018 | $1,332,804,781 | |
| 2019 | $1,256,158,757 | |
| 2020 | $1,351,765,427 | |
| 2021 | $1,370,403,281 | |
| 2022 | $1,526,997,591 | |
| 2023 | $1,716,168,129 | |
| 2024 est. | $1,547,434,169 | |
| 2025 est. | $1,700,000,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply to this grant?
Interdisciplinary teams including National Laboratories, academia, industry, and fiscally-sponsored projects. Phase I is for small teams; Phase II for larger teams scaling Phase I work.
What is the funding range?
Individual awards range from $500,000 to $16,000,000 depending on team size and phase.
When is the deadline?
The fixed deadline is December 17, 2026. Phase II guidelines will be clarified in weeks; FY27 competition planned for second round.
What topics are eligible?
Advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, critical materials, nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, quantum information science, semiconductors, discovery science, and energy. All must leverage AI/novel frameworks.
Is cost sharing required?
Yes, cost sharing is required. Applicants must contribute matching funds or resources to the project budget.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start with the Genesis Mission National Science and Technology Challenges document to understand DOE's specific focus areas and priorities before writing.
- Emphasize how your AI models will accelerate scientific discovery or R&D workflows. Show measurable workflow improvements.
- Form truly interdisciplinary teams. Include National Lab partners, academic institutions, and industry experts with complementary strengths.
- Plan cost sharing early. Identify non-federal resources (in-kind, partner contributions) that strengthen your budget narrative.
- For Phase II, clearly explain how Phase I results scaled to a larger team. Show progress and next-stage milestones.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Teams apply without a clear DOE science mission connection. Vague AI claims lacking demonstrated technical depth or workflow improvement. Weak cost-sharing plans or unclear partner commitments not in writing.
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