Energy Department announces up to $400 million basic research opportunity
The annual call seeks institutional applications across Office of Science programs for areas outside its more specific fiscal 2027 funding notices.
AI illustrationThe U.S. Department of Energy announced a funding opportunity of up to $400 million to support basic research across its Office of Science. It seeks applications from institutions for support under the annual call.
The U.S. Department of Energy set out the opportunity in a post credited to Energy.gov. It described the research as a basis for future technologies and innovation, tying the initiative to the administration’s scientific priorities.
The notice, informally called the Open Call, is issued at the start of each fiscal year. It solicits applications for research in areas that are not covered by the Office of Science’s more specific, topic-focused funding notices in fiscal 2027. That scope gives institutions a route to seek support for work outside those separate calls.
The department said the funding will support work across its major science programs. These include Advanced Scientific Computing Research, Basic Energy Sciences, and Biological and Environmental Research. Other covered programs are Fusion Energy Sciences, High Energy Physics, Nuclear Physics, and Isotope R&D and Production.
The department linked the opportunity to President Trump’s Executive Order Restoring Gold Standard Science. It said the funding supports research that is rigorous, transparent and directed toward its mission, with the aim of strengthening American scientific and technological leadership.
Under Secretary for Science Darío Gil described foundational research as the starting point for future breakthroughs. He said the initiative would enable researchers to pursue new ideas and build a scientific basis for future technologies. The Office of Science already supports research at hundreds of universities nationwide and stewards 10 national laboratories, according to the department.