DOE Hosts Genesis Mission Webinar as $293 Million AI Deadline Nears
March 26, 2026 · 2 min read
Jared Klein
The Department of Energy is hosting an informational webinar today, March 26, for its $293 million Genesis Mission funding opportunity—one of the largest AI-focused research solicitations the federal government has ever issued. Phase I applications and Phase II letters of intent are both due April 28, 2026.
What Is on the Table
The Genesis Mission, a White House-led AI initiative launched in November 2025, is soliciting interdisciplinary teams to tackle 21 national science and technology challenges using artificial intelligence. Research areas span advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, critical materials, nuclear energy, quantum information science, and semiconductors.
Phase I awards range from $500,000 to $750,000 for nine-month projects. Phase II awards—for teams ready to demonstrate larger-scale impact—range from $6 million to $15 million over three years. Teams may apply directly to either phase under funding opportunity DE-FOA-0003612.
"With these investments we seek breakthrough ideas and novel collaborations leveraging the scientific prowess of our National Laboratories, the private sector, universities, and science philanthropies," said Under Secretary Darío Gil.
Eligibility and Team Requirements
Teams must include at least two partners from different sectors: DOE or NNSA national laboratories, U.S. industry, or academia. For-profit entities face a 20% cost-share requirement for basic and applied R&D, rising to 50% for demonstration projects. All awards include a U.S. manufacturing competitiveness provision.
What Applicants Need to Do Now
With 33 days until the April 28 deadline, teams that haven't begun assembling partnerships are behind. The funding opportunity favors applicants with pre-existing collaborations and clearly defined integration points with national laboratory infrastructure.
Common pitfalls include vague AI claims without quantifiable impact metrics and underestimated cost-share requirements. Phase II full applications follow on May 19. Detailed application strategies and analysis are available on grantedai.com.