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 R&D workflows using novel 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, the National Laboratories, U.S. industry, and academia. Any resulting AI models, workflows, and data, will be integrated into the larger Genesis Mission capabilities.

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.

Please review the RFA to access the 21 Challenge Areas, each of which have up to 8 Focus Areas

Other Eligibility Requirements

In Phase I, applicants must propose small teams with partner institutions from at least two of the following categories: (1) DOE/NNSA National Laboratory or a Scientific User Facility5, (2) Industry, and (3) Institute of Higher Education (IHE)/Non-profit/Other. In Phase II, applicants will be expected to propose large teams with at least one partner institution from categories (1) and (2). Inclusion of lead or partner institutions from category (3) are strongly encouraged but not required. To meet this requirement, partners must provide intellectual contributions to the proposed project but do not need to be funded by DOE.

It is envisioned that DOE funding for all industrial partners combined could be up to 20% of the total requested budget for specific project-relevant research efforts.

Additional Eligibility Requirements may be identified in the listing of topics in Section III Program Description of the RFA.

Application Instructions

Please submit as one combined pdf labeled with PI’s Lastname, Firstname:

1. A one‐page letter of intent listing a primary focus area, with a description of proposed aims and approach.
2. If the final application requires a statement of broader impacts, please summarize your plans to address the specific requirements on an additional page.
3. CV (not biosketch) of the PI including past grant funding.

to limitedsubs@uw.edu by 5:00 PM Monday, March 30, 2026. Late pre-proposals will not be considered. Proposals are due to the sponsor 4/28/2026 so you will need to have your materials in to the Office of Sponsored Programs by 4/17/2026 if given the go‐ahead by the Limited Submissions review committee.