DOE Commits $293 Million to Genesis Mission AI Research Awards
April 5, 2026 · 2 min read
Claire Cummings
The Department of Energy has opened a $293 million funding opportunity under the Genesis Mission, a White House-led initiative to accelerate scientific discovery through artificial intelligence. Phase I applications and Phase II letters of intent are both due April 28, 2026.
The Request for Application (DE-FOA-0003612) solicits proposals from interdisciplinary teams across 21 national science and technology challenge areas, ranging from advanced manufacturing and biotechnology to nuclear energy and quantum information science.
Two-Phase Structure Offers Tiered Entry Points
Phase I awards range from $500,000 to $750,000 and support nine-month projects designed to validate novel AI approaches. Phase II awards jump to $6 million to $15 million over three-year project periods for teams ready to deploy AI frameworks at scale. Applicants may enter at either phase — successful Phase I participants can also compete for Phase II funding in future cycles.
Eligible applicants include DOE National Laboratories, U.S. industry, and academic institutions. The DOE expects teams to combine domain expertise with AI and machine learning capabilities to transform research workflows across energy and physical sciences.
"With these investments we seek breakthrough ideas and novel collaborations leveraging scientific prowess," said Under Secretary for Science Darío Gil.
Why This Matters for the Research Community
The Genesis Mission, announced by the White House in November 2025, represents the federal government's most significant commitment to AI-enabled scientific research outside the defense sector. By embedding AI into the DOE's core mission areas — from materials science to clean energy — the program creates a new funding lane for researchers who can bridge computational and domain expertise.
The $293 million tranche arrives as private AI investment dwarfs public spending. Researchers and small firms working on applied AI in energy, manufacturing, or fundamental science now have a direct path to multi-million-dollar federal backing.
What Grant Seekers Should Do Now
The clock is ticking: Phase I applications close April 28. Teams should review the full solicitation at Grants.gov and attend any remaining informational webinars hosted by the DOE Office of Science. Grant seekers tracking AI-related federal opportunities can find additional context and deadline alerts on grantedai.com. Phase II letters of intent are also due April 28, with full Phase II applications following on May 19.