The Genesis Mission: Transforming Science and Energy with AI

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.

Details

• Agency: Office of Science
• Department: Department of Energy - Office of Science
• Opportunity #: DE-FOA-0003612
• Total Funding: $293,760,000
• Instrument: other
• Cost Sharing: Required

DE-FOA-0003612

Office of Science (SC), Office of Critical Minerals and
Energy Innovation (CMEI), Office of Environmental
Management (EM), Office of Electricity (OE),
Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office (HGEO), and
Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
The Genesis Mission: Transforming Science and Energy
with AI
Notice of Request for Application (RFA) Number:
DE-FOA-0003612
RFA Type: Initial
Assistance Listings: 81.049
RFA Issue Date: March 17, 2026
Submission Deadline for FY26 Phase I April 28, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern
Applications:
Submission Deadline for FY26 Phase II April 28, 2026, at 5 PM Eastern
Letters of Intent:
Submission Deadline for FY26 Phase II May 19, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern
Applications:
Submission Deadline for Phase II December 17, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern
Applications resulting from FY26 Phase I
Awards:

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Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................................1
I. BASIC INFORMATION ............................................................................................................1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .........................................................................................................1
FUNDING DETAILS ..................................................................................................................2
KEY FACTS ................................................................................................................................2
KEY DATES ...............................................................................................................................3
SUBMISSION TEAMING REQUIREMENTS ..........................................................................3
AGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION ....................................................................................3
INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR / OFFICE HOURS .................................................................3
RECOMMENDATION ...............................................................................................................3
II. ELIGIBILITY ............................................................................................................................4
A. ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS ....................................................................................................4
B. COST SHARING ...................................................................................................................5
C. ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS ...................................................................................................6
D. LIMITATIONS ON SUBMISSIONS ....................................................................................6
E. OTHER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS ..........................................................................7
III. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ....................................................................................................8
A. PURPOSE ..............................................................................................................................8
B. PROGRAM GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND PRIORITIES .................................................57
C. AWARD CONTRIBUTION TO GOALS AND OBJECTIVES .........................................58
D. PERFORMANCE GOALS ..................................................................................................58
E. PROGRAM UNALLOWABLE COSTS .............................................................................59
F. CITATIONS TO STATUTE AND REGULATIONS .........................................................59
G. PROGRAM HISTORY .......................................................................................................59
H. OTHER INFORMATION ...................................................................................................60
IV. APPLICATION CONTENTS AND FORMAT .....................................................................61
A. PRELIMINARY SUBMISSIONS .......................................................................................61
B.