The Genesis Mission: Transforming Science and Energy with AI

The Genesis Mission: Transforming Science and Energy with AI is a large-scale federal funding opportunity issued by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science in collaboration 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. The initiative is part of a broader national effort to accelerate scientific discovery and research and development workflows through advanced artificial intelligence models and frameworks. The program aligns with federal priorities to strengthen national security, economic competitiveness, and technological leadership by addressing complex energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges using AI-enabled approaches. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support interdisciplinary teams in developing innovative AI-driven solutions across a wide range of scientific and engineering domains. These include advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, critical materials, nuclear energy systems, quantum information science, semiconductors, discovery science, and broader energy systems. The program is structured around the Genesis Mission National Science and Technology Challenges, which emphasize integrating AI into scientific workflows to accelerate discovery, improve predictive capabilities, and enable transformative advancements. Successful outputs, including AI models and workflows, may be incorporated into national platforms such as the American Science Cloud. Funding is provided through a phased approach consisting of Phase I and Phase II awards. Phase I supports small teams focused on designing and demonstrating AI-integrated research workflows with measurable potential for scientific advancement. Phase II supports larger teams that expand upon promising Phase I results or independently demonstrate readiness for larger-scale implementation. Phase I awards typically range from 500000 to 750000 dollars with a project period of approximately nine months, while Phase II awards are expected to be three to five times larger annually and extend over a three-year period. The total program funding is estimated at 293760000 dollars, with individual awards ranging up to 16000000 dollars. Funding is issued under the Department of Energy’s Other Transaction Authority, which allows flexible administrative arrangements. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad and inclusive, allowing applications from a wide range of domestic entities including academic institutions, national laboratories, industry partners, nonprofits, and other organizations. Multi-institutional collaboration is required, with teams expected to include partners from at least two categories such as national laboratories, industry, and higher education or nonprofit organizations. While membership in the Genesis Mission Consortium is not required, applicants are encouraged to leverage its partnership resources. For-profit entities are subject to mandatory cost-sharing requirements, typically 20 percent for research and development activities and up to 50 percent for demonstration projects. The application process involves multiple submission components depending on the phase. For FY26 Phase I applications, full proposals must be submitted by April 28, 2026. For Phase II, a Letter of Intent is required by April 28, 2026, followed by a full application due May 19, 2026. Additionally, recipients of Phase I awards may submit Phase II applications by December 17, 2026. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov and include detailed technical narratives, budget justifications, and supporting documentation as outlined in the funding opportunity announcement. Teams are encouraged to submit early and ensure compliance with all registration requirements such as SAM.gov. Applications are evaluated through a competitive merit review process that considers scientific and technical merit, the potential for AI-driven advancement, team capabilities, and alignment with program goals. Additional evaluation factors may include access to computational resources and the feasibility of integrating results into national platforms. Selected applicants will receive notification following the review process and enter into award negotiations. Project performance is monitored through reporting requirements and potential midterm reviews, particularly for Phase II awards. The overall timeline for this opportunity includes multiple submission deadlines and potential future amendments. The funding opportunity was posted on March 17, 2026, and remains open for submissions through December 17, 2026 for certain application tracks. The Department of Energy has indicated plans to amend or reissue the opportunity in future fiscal years, suggesting a recurring funding cycle. For inquiries, applicants may contact the program team via GenesisMissionNOFO@science.doe.gov. Additional details and full application guidance are available in the official solicitation document.

Strong emphasis on interdisciplinary teams and clear demonstration of AI advantage with measurable outcomes