DOE Posts $145M in Early Career Awards — Pre-Apps Due March 24
March 22, 2026 · 2 min read
Claire Cummings
The Department of Energy's Office of Science opened its 2026 Early Career Research Program with up to $145 million in planned funding for five-year research awards. Mandatory pre-applications close March 24, 2026 — just two days away — making this one of the most time-sensitive opportunities in federal research funding this spring.
Award Structure and Eligibility
The program targets researchers within 10 years of earning their doctorate, with two award tiers:
- University researchers: Approximately $875,000 over five years for untenured, tenure-track assistant or associate professors at U.S. academic institutions
- National lab researchers: Approximately $2.75 million over five years for full-time employees at DOE National Laboratories or Office of Science User Facilities
Proposals must align with one of seven Office of Science program areas: Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR), Biological and Environmental Research, Basic Energy Sciences, Fusion Energy Sciences, High Energy Physics, Nuclear Physics, or Isotope R&D and Production.
AI and Computing Researchers Take Note
The ASCR track is particularly relevant for AI researchers. DOE's Advanced Scientific Computing Research program funds foundational work in AI algorithms, scientific machine learning, energy-efficient computing architectures, and computational automation — areas where early-career investigators are driving rapid progress. With DOE investing heavily in AI for science through its broader Genesis Mission and related initiatives, early career awards in ASCR position recipients for follow-on funding in one of the fastest-growing federal research portfolios.
Critical Deadlines
- March 24, 2026 (5 p.m. ET): Mandatory pre-applications due
- June 2, 2026 (11:59 p.m. ET): Full applications due (only if pre-application is encouraged by DOE)
Of the $145 million total, $79 million is allocated from FY2026 funds. Awards are selected through competitive peer review.
Act Before Monday's Deadline
Eligible researchers who have not yet submitted a pre-application have less than 48 hours. Pre-applications that DOE does not encourage cannot proceed to full application, making Monday's deadline a hard gate. Track federal research deadlines at grantedai.com.