Office of Science Priority Research Areas for SCGSR Program

Office of Science Priority Research Areas for SCGSR Program

Priority Research Areas for SCGSR 2026 Solicitation 2

Applications to the DOE SCGSR Program must be aligned with one or more of the program’s Priority Research Areas. The applicant’s proposed SCGSR research project must be conducted in person at a DOE national laboratory and must address the aims of at least one of the priority areas listed below.

The priority research areas for SCGSR 2026 Solicitation 2 include topics of relevance to each specific Office of Science (SC) program office and convergence topics of interest to multiple SC program offices. The SC program offices include: Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR), Biological and Environmental Research (BER), Basic Energy Sciences (BES), Fusion Energy Sciences (FES), High Energy Physics (HEP), Isotope R&D and Production (IRP), and Nuclear Physics (NP). A brief overview of the SCGSR program is available here, and detailed information about each specific program office can be found at the SC website (https://science.osti.gov/Programs). 

Descriptions below are provided to help understand the scope and focus of each priority area for SCGSR 2026 Solicitation 2. Please note that some areas have explicit exclusions. Applicants must indicate in the online application system with which priority research area is their proposed SCGSR research project aligned. It is strongly recommended that applicants carefully read the full descriptions of the priority areas of consideration and consult with the SCGSR program, if necessary, before making a final selection. Applications with a proposed research project that does not explicitly address an Office of Science research priority area and/or does not make specific reference to the stated aims of one of the listed areas below will NOT be considered.

I. Convergence Research Topical Areas

II. Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR)

III. Biological and Environmental Research (BER)

IV. Basic Energy Sciences (BES)

V. Fusion Energy Sciences (FES)

VI. High Energy and Nuclear Physics (HENP)

VII.   Isotope R&D and Production (IRP)

I. Convergence Research Topical Areas

Introduction

The call for SCGSR applications on convergence research topics encourages forward-looking ideas, innovative concepts, and exploratory approaches that reflect the DOE Office of Science’s emerging areas and strategic priorities through collaboration across existing disciplinary boundaries. Convergence research topics, by nature, bring together people from different academic disciplines and/or sub-areas represented in the Office of Science, and lead to achievements possible only through such integration. People from different disciplinary cultures intermingle on, and benefit from, different perspectives, languages, knowledge, theories, methods, and tools, in the pursuit of shared research interests and challenges. Their integration on multiple dimensions and scales may result in new disciplines, frameworks, and approaches that bring about profound, long-lasting impact on multiple communities. SCGSR research projects in convergence areas are expected to be cross-cutting and transdisciplinary. The basic research team for an SCGSR project consists of the graduate student, the primary graduate thesis advisor, and a collaborating DOE national laboratory scientist at the host DOE national laboratory. Due to the convergent nature of the research topics in this Section, it is preferred that the team members come from different disciplinary backgrounds (including different sub-areas represented in the Office of Science), or at least that the graduate student and his/her collaborating DOE laboratory scientist be from different disciplines. Furthermore, it is encouraged to engage other DOE national laboratory scientists from different disciplines, as necessary, during the project period and beyond.

Training graduate students at the convergence of multiple- and trans-disciplinary scientific areas and communities is a priority for U.S. workforce development. Since its inception in 2014, the SCGSR program has demonstrated strength in preparing graduate students for science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) careers of critical importance to the DOE Office of Science mission through extended graduate research residence at DOE national laboratories and facilities.  The inherent inter- and multi-disciplinary nature of the team science culture and world-class scientific facilities at DOE national laboratories nurtures a workforce development ecosystem that readily addresses transdisciplinary research challenges of national importance. The graduate training opportunities in convergence research topical areas at DOE national laboratories are expected to help accelerate graduate students’ research and professional growth through access to multiple disciplinary talents and resources, and to prepare graduate students for careers in cutting-edge transdisciplinary research fields.

The Department of Energy's Office of Science supports a broad spectrum of basic research endeavors, from fundamental studies within a single academic discipline to collaborations involving multiple disciplines at both domestic and international scales. The convergence research topical areas shown here represent cross-cutting research themes and shared interests across the Office of Science’s research program offices. Each area shown below is associated with research interests from at least two or more Office of Science program offices. SCGSR applications submitted to one of the following convergence research areas must address research topic(s) of interest to at least two of the participating DOE Office of Science’s programs for that area, and are subject to evaluation by the relevant program offices. Based on the evaluation of proposed research focus and scope, an SCGSR application selecting one of the convergence research areas may be considered better aligned with one of the non-convergence research areas and be subject to further evaluation in a non-convergence research area under an Office of Science program office in this solicitation. If applicants are not certain if they should submit an application to a convergence area in this section or a non-convergence area under a single Office of Science’s program office, it is recommended to submit the application to the convergence area first.

The convergence research topical areas for the SCGSR program include:

(a) Accelerator Science (Participating Programs: ASCR, BER, BES, FES, HENP, and IRP)

Today, particle beams from over 30,000 accelerators worldwide play an important role in scientific discovery and in application areas ranging from diagnosing and treating disease to powering industrial processes. To remain competitive for accelerator innovation, a sustained, cross-disciplinary effort on advancing the basic science is required. In 2008, the Department of Energy’s Office of Science launched an initiative to encourage breakthroughs in accelerator science and their translation into applications for the nation’s health, prosperity, and security. Moreover, vibrant research areas/topics have been established in multiple research programs under the DOE Office of Science (such as BES, FES, HENP, and IRP), and funding has been provided for research and development activities in DOE national laboratories and universities nationwide.  Continued U.S. innovation and leadership in basic accelerator research and in the areas of energy, environment and national security, rests on the next generation of accelerator scientists. DOE national laboratories host a comprehensive suite of world-class accelerator facilities and detector laboratories, as well as provide training opportunities that are not always available in a university setting. Applicants are encouraged to take advantage of graduate research and training opportunities at DOE national laboratories in the area of Accelerator Science.

Applications submitted to the convergence research area on Accelerator Science must address research topic(s) of interest to at least two of the participating DOE Office of Science’s programs (ASCR, BER, BES, FES, HENP, and IRP). Please refer to the description of the non-convergence area/topic on Accelerator/Detector R&D under a single SC program office for specific topics of interest. If applicants are not certain if they should submit an application to this convergence area or a non-convergence area under a single program office, it is recommended to submit the application to the convergence area on Accelerator Science first. Applications submitted under the convergence area that are not accepted as a convergence area application will still have the chance to be considered in a non-convergence area/topic on Accelerator/Detector R&D under a single program if the proposed research addresses the interest of that program.

(b) Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (Participating Programs: ASCR, BER, BES, FES, and HENP)

The recently launched Genesis Mission will develop an integrated platform that connects the world's best supercomputers, experimental facilities, AI systems, and unique datasets across every major scientific domain to double the productivity and impact of American research and innovation within a decade. In support of this effort, DOE established the American Science Cloud (AmSC) to create a platform to distribute AI models and scientific data to the broader research community and the Transformational AI Models Consortium (ModCon) to build and deploy self-improving AI models that advance science, engineering, and energy missions by harnessing DOE’s unique data, facilities, and expertise. The SCGSR program furthers this mission by providing opportunities for graduate students to work with laboratory mentors on AI topics relevant to the Office of Science.

SCGSR applications in the convergence AI topic should focus on the development and application of AI models and frameworks (including foundation models, deep learning models, machine learning models, digital twins, agentic AI, explainable AI, etc.) for use in experimental design and automation and/or in data capture, management, or analysis. In all cases, the proposed research must address scientific discovery and be relevant to two or more programs in the Office of Science. Projects should promote data interoperability across domains, allow for integrated data-driven hypothesis-based AI models, and lead to improved understanding and advancement of energy research. Data collections developed in this research should adhere to "FAIR" (findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable) principles, and the use of SC Public Reusable Research (PuRe) Data Resources or American Science Cloud platforms is encouraged.

EXCLUSIONS: Quantum computing or quantum systems for quantum information science (but see the quantum-information-science convergence area below as well as related topics under ASCR, BES, and HENP); ‘omics’ data and systems biology approaches; applied research, such as design or optimization of instruments, devices, or tools; areas covered already in the topics for ASCR, BER, BES, FES, and HENP.

(c) Microelectronics (Participating Programs: ASCR, BES, FES, and HENP)

The Department of Energy’s Office of Science programs have always been at the cutting edge of microelectronics, both as a consumer and as an engine of scientific understanding that has enabled many of the technological breakthroughs adopted by industry. This has driven transformative advances in microelectronics for the challenging demands of DOE’s high-performance computing, scientific user facilities, and discovery science experiments. Today, the end of Moore’s Law, along with the emergence of new computing and sensing workloads and rapidly expanding data volumes, have resulted in an unprecedented need and opportunity to “redesign” the microelectronics innovation process to continue to satisfy the ever growing demands. In addition, greatly improved microelectronics are needed for the nation’s electricity grid if it is to be energy-efficient, resilient to natural phenomena and intentional attack, and agile in adapting to fluctuations in power demand and generation. Sustained and rapid progress in microelectronics science and technology from millivolt to megavolt scales is thus essential if we are to continue pushing the boundaries of science within DOE and, more significantly, to continue to lead the global information and power technology revolution.

In this context, the term “microelectronics” is used broadly to refer to semiconductors and related materials, processing chemistries, design, fabrication, packaging, sensors, devices, integrated circuits, processors, computing paradigms and architectures, modeling and simulation, software tools, and related technologies. To enable continued advances in sensing, computing, communication, networking, and power technologies, a fundamental rethinking is needed of the science behind the materials and chemistries, synthesis and fabrication, device physics, energy efficiency, architectures, algorithms, and software. These advances must be developed collectively in a spirit of co-design, where each scientific discipline informs and engages the other to achieve orders-of-magnitude improvements in system-level performance. Co-design involves multi-disciplinary collaboration that takes into account the interdependencies among material properties, device physics, architectures, and the software stack for developing the microelectronics systems of the future.

Applications should embrace a multi-disciplinary approach to address DOE’s microelectronics needs in the areas of computing, instrumentation for scientific user facilities and discovery science experiments, and power grid management.

Relevant topics are outlined in the priority research directions from the Basic Research Needs for Microelectronics Workshop report (https://science.osti.gov/-/media/bes/pdf/reports/2019/BRN_Microelectronics_rpt.pdf).

EXCLUSIONS: Activities that focus on Quantum Information Science or Quantum Computing will NOT be considered for the microelectronics convergence area (but see the quantum-information-science convergence area below as well as related topical areas under ASCR, BES, and HENP).

(d) Quantum Information Science (Participating Programs: ASCR, BER, FES, and HENP)

The study and application of Quantum Information Science (QIS) is an emergent field with broad applications to SC programs.  The aim of the DOE SC’s QIS initiative is to foster technological advancement of QIS research with impact on discovery science across the SC portfolio of research. The QIS Convergence Topic supports the “science first” approach of the National Quantum Strategy, for example through partnerships with the multidisciplinary National QIS Research Centers.

Applications to this convergence topic should span multiple scientific or engineering disciplines and propose QIS research and technology development that extends the scientific reach of existing SC programs well beyond what is currently achievable; or uses experimental or theoretical techniques to improve the theoretical and practical capabilities and limitations of complex quantum systems. If applicants are not certain if they should submit an application to this convergence area or a non-convergence area under a single program office, it is recommended to submit the application to the convergence area on Quantum Information Science first. Applications submitted under the convergence area that are not accepted as a convergence area application will still have the chance to be considered in a non-convergence area/topic on QIS under a single program if the proposed research addresses the interest of that program.

II. Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR)

The Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR) program’s mission is to advance applied mathematics and computer science, including artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum information science (QIS); deliver the most sophisticated computational scientific applications in partnership with disciplinary science; create first-of-a-kind advanced computing and networking capabilities for the Nation; and develop future generations of computing hardware and software tools for science and engineering in partnership with the research community, including U.S. industry. ASCR’s research and facilities investments increase the capability, versatility, and efficiency of scientific computing through activities described by four thrusts:

  • Breakthrough tools and technologies: ASCR enhances software, data processes, and AI for increasingly complex or resource intense modeling and simulation;
  • Deep understanding of AI and physical models: ASCR advances and enables knowledge in core mathematical methods and algorithms that underlie all AI, modelling, and simulation;
  • Enabling high-precision research and development: ASCR focuses on concurrently advancing applied math and computer science knowledge with disciplinary science in critical areas such as QIS, fusion energy, and materials science;
  • Hardware innovation: ASCR increases the utility of computing, including underlying communication and energy needs, redefines the art of the possible in conventional computing, and leads the development of new emerging technologies.

ASCR’s program activities steward an innovation pipeline addressing these four thrusts. This pipeline starts with basic research in ASCR Research that comprises Applied Mathematics Research, Computer Science Research, and Computational Partnerships. It then makes connections to scale-up research and development activities through testbeds and centers in Advanced Computing Technologies (ACT). Finally, it culminates in world-leading, first-of-a-kind computing, networking, and data infrastructure capabilities developed and deployed by High Performance Computing (HPC) and Networking Facilities. Each of these program activities plays a critical role:

  • ASCR Research’s Applied Math and Computer Science activities focus on long-term research to develop innovative algorithms, software, methods, and workflows underpinning current and future HPC, AI, QIS, and emerging science applications. ASCR Research’s Computational Partnerships catalyze joint inquiry and effort between mathematics and computer science researchers and domain science researchers to solve the interwoven challenges;
  • ASCR ACT activities anticipate future computing needs and provide testbeds and research centers for the design and development of the newest technologies, including QIS, microelectronics, and robotics. ACT focuses on engaging industry and the research community to scale-up research on next-generation technologies for enabling broad research impact, innovation, and initial commercial development;
  • ASCR HPC and Networking Facilities activities conceive, build, and operate world-class, open access HPC, networking, and data infrastructure for scientific research. Many thousands of researchers, spanning industry, academia, and government laboratories, rely on the ASCR facilities to advance their research. The expert workforce of the ASCR facilities partners with industry to create and deploy next-generation computing and networking technology. ASCR’s stewardship of domestic HPC ecosystems, industrial partnerships, and supply chains makes the continued innovation in this strategic technology possible. In addition, ASCR’s stewardship of DOE high performance networking connects all DOE national laboratories and major sites to global research networks to advance data-intensive scientific discovery.

SCGSR proposals directed to ASCR specifically should align with one or more of our research topics, as outlined below.  SCGSR proposals meant to attract ASCR interest in convergence areas should also make the case for advancing ASCR's mission.  For example, a proposal in the microelectronics convergence area could outline a sequence of steps leading to future computing hardware that would run scientific codes faster.

The ASCR subprograms for SCGSR and their objectives follow.

(a) Applied Mathematics

This subprogram supports basic research leading to fundamental mathematical advances and computational breakthroughs across DOE and SC missions. Important areas of basic research include novel algorithms for the scalable solution of linear and non-linear equations, optimization, numerical methods for modeling multiphysics and inverse problems that span a wide range of temporal and spatial scales, uncertainty quantification, innovative approaches to manage large data sets, and foundational research in scientific AI.

EXCLUSIONS: Development and/or implementation of existing numerical methods to a specific application is NOT within the scope of this program, no matter how challenging the application.

(b) Computer Science

The Computer Science research program supports research that enables computing and networking at extreme scales from both simulations and experiments. It aims to make scientific HPC and networks highly efficient to solve scientific challenges. The computer-science program does this in the context of sharp increases in the heterogeneity and complexity of computing systems, the need to seamlessly and intelligently integrate simulation, data analysis, and other tasks into coherent and usable workflows, and the challenges posed by novel computing platforms such as neuromorphic and quantum systems. Priority interests for the program include quantum information science (QIS), artificial intelligence, machine learning, surrogate modeling, data management, analysis, and visualization, graph analytics, storage systems and I/O for high-performance computing, programming models for emerging parallel and heterogeneous architectures, including GPUs and FPGAs, operating systems, performance portability, and distributed scheduling and resource management. Topics within QIS include new algorithms for scientific applications, error-correcting codes, quantum compilers, and hardware-software co-design.  Quantum testbeds fall instead under the ACT section below.

EXCLUSIONS: Topics that are out of scope for Computer Science include

  • Applications aimed at advancing computer-supported collaboration, social computing, and generalized research in human-computer interaction,
  • Discipline-specific data analytics and informatics without a clear articulation of how the research will generalize to other disciplines and/or advance computer science capabilities,
  • Research focused on the World Wide Web, the dark web, and/or data about it,
  • Research that is primarily to advance cloud computing, hand-held, portable, desktop, and/or embedded computing that is not applicable to ASCR-supported computational and data science environments; and research and applications not motivated and justified in the context of current and future SC user facilities.

(c) Advanced Computing Technologies (ACT)

This activity supports research that advances software and hardware technologies for testbeds addressing the challenges of next-generation computing systems. By actively partnering with the research community, including industry and Federal agencies, on the development of technologies that enable next-generation computing and networking, ASCR ensures that commercially available architectures serve the needs of the scientific community. Testbeds also prepare researchers to effectively use future scientific computers, including novel technologies, and seeks to reduce risk for future major procurements. Research topics currently of interest for ACT include

  • Research focused on information processing and computation systems for emerging computing technologies (beside quantum computing, for which see below) including hardware architectures, accelerators, development of programming environments, languages, libraries, compilers, simulators, and research and development on their algorithms for physical simulation,
  • Robotics and embodied AI: foundational research in robotics, autonomy, and AI-driven experiment design encompassing methods for edge computing, orchestration, and federated learning to support distributed robotic systems within specified constraints,
  • Neuromorphic computing: specific to advanced computing architectures, fabrication, prototypes, and testbeds for generalizable applications seeking to reverse engineer neuro-biological computing processes,
  • Microelectronics for scientific computing, next generation AI accelerators, emerging computing architectures/systems, chip design, hardware design software, verification, compilers, integration, fabrication, advanced protypes, and testbeds,
  • Adaptation of promising new error-corrected quantum-computing technologies for scientific use cases and theoretical studies related to assessing capabilities of fault-tolerant quantum computers and networks, and,
  • The maintenance and stewardship of a sustainable software ecosystem for scientific supercomputing at extreme scale, including the portfolio funded through the Consortium for the Advancement of Scientific Software, http://cass.community.

Topics that are out of scope include

  • Cryptography and cryptanalysis,
  • Projects that are duplicative of or competitive with industry,
  • Development of new candidate qubit systems or improvements to physical qubits,
  • Development of integrated circuits for quantum computing.

(However, see QIS under the computer-science subtopic.)

III. Biological and Environmental Research (BER)

The mission of the Biological and Environmental Research (BER) program is to support transformative science and scientific user facilities to achieve a predictive understanding of complex biological, Earth and environmental systems, in support of DOE’s vision to advance innovative solutions for the Nation’s energy expansion and national security challenges. BER’s biological research focuses on gaining the ability to understand and then re-design biomolecules, metabolic pathways, microorganisms, plants, and microbiomes. This focus leads to a comprehensive understanding of biological processes operating at molecular to field scales underpinning broad biotechnology development. Earth and environmental research supports fundamental research and computationally advanced modeling to enhance predictability of dynamically variable integrated energy, environmental, and Earth systems, in support of DOE’s mission involving transformative science for energy and national security.

Program Website: https://science.osti.gov/ber

BER mission areas:

  • Provide the fundamental science to understand, predict, manipulate and design biological processes that underpin innovations for bioenergy and bioproduct production and enhance the understanding of natural environmental processes relevant to DOE. 
  • Support integrated data-driven modeling of Earth and environmental systems with extensive applications of AI in support of science, energy, and national security challenges.
  • To understand processes and controls needed to describe elemental and nutrient cycling in the environment, based on laboratory and field experiments and system modeling.
  • To make fundamental discoveries at the interface of biology and physics by developing and using new, enabling technologies and resources for DOE’s needs in bioenergy and subsurface science.

The BER program is organized into two divisions, the Biological Systems Science Division (BSSD), and Earth and Environmental Systems Sciences Division (EESSD).

The BSSD supports fundamental research that integrates advanced genomics research with computation and user facility capabilities for basic science on plant and microbial systems relevant to DOE mission in energy and national security. Systems biology is the multidisciplinary study of complex interactions specifying the function of entire biological systems—from biomolecular processes to single cells to multicellular organisms—rather than the study of individual components. BSSD-supported research seeks to reveal the fundamental principles that drive biological systems, enabling the design of new biosystems relevant to DOE missions, and providing the breakthrough science needed to accelerate biotechnological innovation. The division also supports the operation of a scientific user facility, the DOE Joint Genome Institute (JGI), and capabilities for structural biology and bioimaging at the DOE Synchrotron Light and Neutron Sources. 

The Earth and Environmental Systems Sciences subprogram supports fundamental research and scientific user facilities that enable enhanced predictability of dynamically variable environmental and Earth systems, in support of DOE’s mission involving transformative science for energy and national security. This includes improving predictability of variable environmental conditions that influence the design of next generation energy technologies and infrastructure, based on experimental and modeling research on Earth and energy systems. Research includes modeling of the interdependent terrestrial, marine, coastal, cryospheric, and energy components of the Earth system; analysis of energy technologies and infrastructures that are embedded in the Earth system; and uncertainty quantification. This integrated portfolio extends from molecular to regional and global scales and time scales from sub-seasonal to decadal. Modeling activities leverage DOE’s exascale leadership computing user facilities and advance with the latest methods in artificial intelligence (AI). EESSD also supports the DOE Office of Science (SC) Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL) user facility to advance basic science through its world-class facilities, multi-modal instrumentation, and scientific leadership that empower and enable researchers to achieve a predictive understanding of complex biological and environmental systems.

BER’s priority research areas for SCGSR program include:

(a) Computational Biology and Bioinformatics

The Biological Systems Science Division seeks foundational understanding of complex biological networks among molecules, microbes, plants and communities for innovations in bioenergy and bioproduct production and for the extraction and recovery of critical minerals and materials (CMMs) from natural and complex environments. These studies enable a mechanistic understanding of multi-scale biological interactions needed to accelerate biotechnological applications such as metabolic engineering and biosystem design. The growing challenge is to enhance data discoverability and leverage AI/ML for search optimization to rapidly advance innovative data management systems. BER’s vision is to advance new AI/ML capabilities to detect and understand patterns in large complex data, to build new predictive models, to advance scientific hypothesis generation, and to accelerate biological designs.

Driven by DNA sequencing and omics data, biology is now a quantitative science, yet challenges persist in linking genomic information to molecular function, physiology, and macroscale processes in plants and microorganisms. However, high-performance computing and AI/ML offer unprecedented capabilities to analyze complex genomic data, yielding insights beyond conventional methods. The DOE's extensive genomic datasets, computational infrastructure, and laboratory assets provide a unique opportunity to develop transformative tools and models for genome biology and biotechnology. This topic encourages candidates to utilize DOE resources to develop novel AI/ML approaches that advance biological discovery. Key areas of focus include creating new algorithms to analyze gene/genome organization for phenotypic plasticity prediction, integrating diverse biological data (imaging, structural, simulations), efficient management of heterogeneous multiscale datasets for system-wide interpretation and biosystems simulation, and enabling AI for de novo design in BER science.

(b) Biomolecular Characterization and Imaging Science

Biomolecular characterization and imaging science supports integrative structural biology and bioimaging approaches to detect, visualize, and measure biological processes in-situ to gain a predictive understanding of cellular function. To support advanced genomics research and the foundations of biotechnology development, BER encourages development of new 3D structural characterization and imaging approaches, instrumentation and technologies for the study of cellular and molecular systems and networks critical to the functioning of DOE-relevant plants, microbes, and microbial communities. This includes Quantum-enabled approaches to surpass limitations of classical optical methods; and research towards new quantum science-enabled probes and sensors. Priority research areas for this topic include  technologies for characterizing the structures of critical molecular and cellular components that inform understanding of the system and its essential dynamic processes; including probing biological systems iteratively and in situ to characterize the dynamic spatial and temporal relationships, physical connections, chemical exchanges that facilitate the flow of information and materials across membranes and between intracellular partitions, and measuring signaling processes between cells or organelles and plant-microbe and microbe-microbe interactions. Candidates for this topic are encouraged to draw upon imaging techniques/capabilities from other disciplines that could be adapted to advance the understanding and applications of the biological systems of diverse plant and microbial species of relevance to BER (as outlined in BER topics c and d below). Proposals focused only on computational studies are not in scope, but computational and AI/ML approaches for implementation and increased utility of the technologies through integrated, automated and autonomous workflows are welcome.. Candidates are expected to seek research collaboration with scientists and engineers at the DOE National Laboratories in conceptualizing interdisciplinary approaches and leveraging tools and resources available to advance an imaging concept from proof of principle to use in common research practice. See https://BERStructuralBioPORTAL.org/ for BER-supported beamline capabilities and contacts at the DOE synchrotron light and neutron facilities.

(c) Plant Science for Resilient Bioenergy Crop Production

Crops grown for bioenergy purposes will possess characteristics that may be different from those required for plants grown for food. Decreased or altered lignin composition, a longer vegetative period for increased biomass, and perenniality are among traits considered favorable for bioenergy feedstocks. Current DOE Genomic Science Program research efforts in plant feedstocks for bioenergy and bioproducts focus on the manipulation of metabolic pathways and carbon allocation in plant tissues to produce plant varieties with enhanced productivity, compositional quality, and resiliency in suboptimal environmental conditions. Candidates for this topic should focus on systems biology and genome engineering approaches (including developing new automated bioengineering solutions for plants) seeking to improve terrestrial bioenergy crop characteristics such as biomass yields, optimized growth and development on marginal lands,  research to further understanding of plant-microbe interactions, and/or understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying traits that increase plant productivity under various abiotic stresses. Future DOE bioenergy research will require plant scientists trained in multiple scientific disciplines that enable translation of research to the field.

(d) Microbiome Engineering

Microbial genomes encode blueprints for the catalysis of millions of chemical reactions. In the environment, microbial populations can often catalyze thousands of these reactions simultaneously, doing do so at room temperature, at ambient pressure, and with minimal energy waste, due to the highly efficient metabolic handoffs that occur among microbiome members. This makes microbial metabolism vastly more complex and energy efficient than any human built chemical refinery. Despite notable advances in  ‘-omics’ capabilities and high-resolution analytical technologies, there is still a large gap in our understanding of the way that microbiome metabolic interactions are woven together. Projects submitted to this priority area should focus on understanding genome encoded properties and metabolic handoffs in microbial populations and how such knowledge could be leveraged to engineer microbiomes toward DOE relevant outcomes. This might include projects that aim to study model microbial communities to provide the fundamental understanding needed to achieve synthesis of biomolecules through multi-species interactions or the development of genome engineering tools for undomesticated microbes. Also welcome are studies that aim to develop tools for real-time and non-destructive sensing and monitoring of microbiome functions at any scale to continuously monitor the molecular signals and processes that control microbiome functions. This might, among other topics, include the development of robust safety measures and mitigation tools to constrain the growth of engineered microbiomes to user-defined operational environments for finite durations. In addition, this topic includes the targeted engineering of microbial communities to achieve the concentration, purification, or separation of critical material and minerals (CMM). Purely computational studies are not in scope, but AI/ML tools and modeling to understand and reliably anticipate community structure, function, and stability across dynamically changing conditions are welcome.

(e) Earth System Model Development: Computational Modeling

In order to advance the fidelity of Earth system models, there is an ongoing need to im­prove physical process representation (complexity), model resolution, and accuracy of predictions involving the atmosphere, oceans, terrestrial environment, cryosphere, and energy systems.  It is critical to understand how scale-aware modes of variability interact across the Earth system, on fine spatial resolutions that extend from sub-seasonal to decadal time scales.  At the same time, computational and AI  capabilities continue to advance, allowing for hybrid AI approaches to initialization; parameterization development for atmospheric, ecological, and other processes; coupling of physics-based and foundational models within a predictive system; and data assimilation. Computational and AI advances present both a challenge and opportunity for Earth system modeling research, and there is need for the combined skill-set of computational, AI, and Earth and environmental system sciences, in order to design and optimize model codes with methods that can effectively utilize the evolution and advances of next generation computer systems. Candidates for this topic should be developing new algorithms or computa­tional methods for Earth system model codes that will both advance the physics, biogeochemistry, and nonlinear dynamics of Earth system science and be designed to effectively and efficiently utilize AI techniques and emerging generations of Leadership class computers.

Background in one area of earth system sciences as well as in either software engineering or mathematics, is desired but not required.

(f) Model analysis, multi-sector dynamics, and process research

The development of Earth and environmental modeling systems that connect to multi-sector dynamics requires process-oriented diagnostics to evaluate the deficiencies in model parameterizations. Current generations of Earth system models use parameterizations for cloud-aerosol-precipitation processes derived from field observations, and biogeochemical processes derived from field studies, among others. Clouds significantly influence precipitation, which is the major link between the water cycle of the Earth system and regional distributions of water that influence energy infrastructure, production, transmission, and use. The coupling between the atmosphere and the land surface provides the physical drivers of the linkage. As the spatial resolution of system models increases, the interactions between different components of the Earth system present new challenges for diagnosing relationships that connect, e.g., precipitation with large-scale variables involved in parameterization of sub-grid scale processes. Candidates for this topic should focus on water cycle research seeking to develop new atmospheric and/or environmental parameterizations, analysis frameworks that combine process-oriented diagnostics, and other exploratory metrics with methods of improving parameter choice for existing parameterizations in Earth System Models. Use of Artificial Intelligence techniques is strongly encouraged but not compulsory.

EXCLUSIONS: The following areas are NOT within the scope of the BER program of this solicitation:

  • Bioremediation of organics, applied contaminant remediation, and phytoremediation
  • Design, modeling, or technology development related to renewable energy systems including wind farms, solar arrays, and hydropower
  • Existing or newly proposed processes for commercial, industrial, residential, and municipal solid and liquid waste management, including bioenergy from sewage processing, even if those processes hold potential to better understand energy flow through those systems
  • Experimentation in support of industrial processes, including feedstock substitutions, emissions scrubbing, biomass process engineering optimization, and processes designed for reducing/modulating greenhouse gas emissions
  • Policy analysis and/or policy implementation studies
  • General human behavioral research, even as it applies to such areas as biofuels acceptance
  • Marine experimentation as part of Earth system sciences research, including understanding of marine organisms, marine biology, and marine ecology even when it may impact nutrient cycles and/or hold potential for marine carbon sequestration
  • Oceanography research including observations and experimentation on ocean currents, ocean heat transfer, and other physical ocean properties
  • Engineering of systems or instrumentation or deployment of innovative combinations of existing probes where basic research is not the main thrust
  • Technology development and testing to promote the mitigation of extreme events and their impacts within the Earth system
  • Air pollution measurements, control technology development or evaluation
  • Site-specific scientific studies of Earth system change, including patterns of extreme events, where research may be focused on a particular community, localized resource, or region, but where more generalized extensions and interpretations of the research are not a central componen
  • Medical related research
  • Agricultural related research (i.e., plant pests, disease, food crops)

IV. Basic Energy Sciences (BES)

The mission of the Basic Energy Sciences (BES) program is to support fundamental research to understand, predict, and ultimately control matter and energy at the electronic, atomic, and molecular levels in order to provide the foundations for new energy technologies and to support other aspects of DOE missions in energy, environment, and national security. The portfolio supports work in the natural sciences by emphasizing fundamental research in materials sciences, chemistry, geosciences, and aspects of biosciences. BES-supported scientific facilities provide specialized instrumentation and expertise that enable scientists to carry out experiments not possible at individual laboratories.

Additional information can be found on the BES website.  BES-sponsored workshop reports address the current status and possible future directions of some important research areas.  PI Meetings Reports contain abstracts of BES supported research in topical areas associated with Division-sponsored technical conferences.

Additional BES eligibility restrictions:

Applications to BES are subject to additional eligibility restrictions shown in the table below.

University – Lab Distance

 Graduate Advisor and Lab Mentor are co-funded on the project in which the student is doing research?

 

 Eligible

 

x ≤5 miles*

Yes or No

No

5 miles < x ≤ 50 miles

Yes

No

5 miles < x ≤ 50 miles

No

Yes

x > 50 miles

Yes or No

Yes

  *e.g., AMES/Iowa State, SLAC/Stanford, LBNL/UC Berkeley, PPPL/Princeton, NREL/Colorado School of Mines, SNL/University of New Mexico, PNNL/Washington State Tri-cities, etc.

BES’ priority research areas for SCGSR program include:

(a) Materials Chemistry

This research topic supports hypothesis-driven research on materials with a focus on the role of chemical reactivity, chemical transformation, and chemical dynamics on the material composition, structure, function, and lifetime across the range of length scales from atomic to mesoscopic. Discovery of the mechanistic detail for chemical synthesis, transformations and dynamics of materials, fundamental understanding of structure-property relationships of functional materials, and utilization of chemistry to control interfacial properties and interactions between materials are common themes.
Major scientific areas of interest include: (1) Fundamental aspects of chemical synthesis, including covalent and non-covalent assembly of materials from molecular-scale building blocks; (2) Synthesis and characterization of new classes of materials including hierarchical materials or other innovative assemblies of matter with novel functionality; (3) Exploitation of extreme and/or non-equilibrium conditions leading to new materials discovery; (4) Control of interphase chemistry and morphology; (5) Fundamental electrochemistry of materials; (6) Chemical dynamics and transformations of functional materials in operational environments; and (7) Development of new tools and techniques for the elucidation of chemical processes in materials, particularly in situ or operando studies of materials in energy-relevant environments.

Specific topics of interest are aligned with recent BES roundtable and workshop reports and include novel approaches to the chemical conversion of polymers, fundamental investigations of rare earth compound chemistry and other critical materials chemistry leading to earth-abundant alternatives, and new approaches to materials discovery using data-driven science such as AI/ML.

EXCLUSIONS: Research will not be supported if it is primarily aimed at optimization of properties of materials for specific applications, optimization of synthetic methods (including non-science-based scale-up research), device fabrication and testing, or synthesis of small molecules or nanoparticles. Applications focused on the elucidation of mechanisms of catalytic reactions or whose primary focus is on optoelectronic, spintronic, or magnetic behavior will not be supported.

(b) Biomolecular Materials

This research area supports fundamental materials science research for discovery, design and synthesis of functional materials and complex structures based on principles and concepts of biology. Biology provides a blueprint for organizing and manipulating matter, energy, entropy, and information across multiple length scales to build material systems that display complex yet well-coordinated collective behavior. The major direction is on the science-driven creation of materials and multiscale systems that exhibit well-coordinated functionality and information content approaching that of biological materials but capable of functioning under extreme, non-biological environments. This research activity seeks innovative fundamental science approaches for co-design and scalable synthesis of materials that coherently and actively manage multiple complex and simultaneous functions and tolerate abuse through autonomous repair and regrowth. New synthetic approaches and unconventional assembly pathways are sought to accelerate discovery of materials. An area of emphasis will be activities to understand and control assembly mechanisms to seamlessly integrate capabilities developed for one length scale across multiple length scales as the material is constructed. Included is development of predictive models and AI/ML for data-driven science that accelerate materials discovery and support fundamental science to direct energy efficient scalable synthesis with real-time adaptive control.

Major scientific areas of interest are: self, directed, and dissipative assembly to form resilient materials with self-regulating capabilities such as reconfiguration of morphology and function, autonomous self-healing and growth, control of active matter, and non-equilibrium information and signaling processing; management of precise functional group positioning and component interactions across multiple time and length scales; and design and creation of next-generation materials that incorporate low-energy mechanisms for programmable selectivity and active management of energy and fluid transport.

EXCLUSIONS: The research area will not support projects that lack a clear focus on fundamental materials science or are aimed at optimization of materials properties for any applications, device fabrication, sensor development, tissue engineering, understanding of underlying biological synthetic or assembly processes, biological research, or biomedical research.

(c) Synthesis and Processing Science

This topic supports research to understand the physical phenomena and unifying principles that underpin materials synthesis and processing across multiple length scales. Some of these phenomena include diffusion, nucleation, and phase transitions and the role imperfections and interfaces play in the emergence of materials functionality. The emphasis is on hypothesis-based research that enables discovery of new materials, from quantum to bulk dimensionalities, with targeted composition, structure, and function. New crystal growth methods, thin-film deposition techniques, and post-processing techniques are needed to create complex materials, including new states of matter or discoveries under non-equilibrium conditions and through (multi-) scale and external interactions. This topic is also interested in understanding complex synthesis and processing relationships, for example time-temperature-transformation diagrams (TTT), transition state surfaces, or the effect of substrate (stress/strain) or precursor (kinetic energy/structure) states on film growth.

This research area emphasizes innovative research to understand materials growth kinetics and mechanisms, especially as they relate to the science of high efficiency, advanced low-carbon fabrication processes, organic and inorganic film deposition with controlled defects, and the organization of multifaceted mesoscopic hierarchical assemblies. Topics targeted for increased emphasis are emerging areas of research that examine (1) fundamental processes to reduce energy consumption for physical deposition processes, (2) meta-stable intermediates for phase and composition transformations, (3) the role of localized external fields in directing growth processes, and (4) the direct conversion of natural minerals or end-of-life materials into new functional alternatives. Applications are sought that focus on creative coupling of physical synthesis, processing techniques, and/or solution-based chemistry with computational/theory approaches, including AI/ML and automated synthesis for data-driven science. Additionally, projects emphasizing the development of real-time diagnostic tools and characterization techniques to understand the fundamental science of nucleation and structure/composition for atomic level control, and computational approaches bridging multiple timescales are encouraged. For further information about this research area see https://science.osti.gov/bes/mse/Research-Areas/Synthesis-and-Processing-Science.

EXCLUSIONS: Projects aimed at controlling synthesis to optimize or engineer materials properties will be de-emphasized. In addition, research that focuses primarily on device fabrication, device development, or any optimization based on known processing or synthesis principles will not be supported.

(d) Experimental Condensed Matter Physics

This research area supports experimental research to advance our understanding of quantum phenomena governing the electronic structure of complex materials. The objective is to realize and control novel quantum states of matter, thus enabling new materials functionalities targeting energy efficient microelectronics and quantum information technologies.

Graduate students will have the opportunity to learn cutting edge experimental techniques used in the synthesis and advanced characterization of 3D, layered, and 2D materials.
Applicants should focus on electronic collective behaviors emerging from the interplay of nontrivial band topology with lattice, charge, spin, valley, and orbital degrees of freedom. Other topics of interest are critical materials and their alternates, 2D magnets, materials or interfaces combining topology with strong correlations, characterization techniques operating in situ and under extreme conditions (high pressure, low temperatures, high magnetic fields, etc.), and the incorporation of computational tools and domain aware scientific machine learning algorithms. The emphasis should be on the understanding of the fundamental physics underlying new materials’ properties. For further information about this research area see https://science.osti.gov/bes/mse/Research-Areas/Experimental-Condensed-Matter-Physics.

EXCLUSIONS: Not supported is research involving cold atom physics, conventional superconductors, conventional bulk semiconductors, the incremental optimization of materials properties, and any type of device engineering (e.g., optimization of photovoltaics, fuel cells, batteries, power electronics, etc.).

(e) Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics

This research area supports fundamental research in quantum physics by advancing our fundamental understanding of quantum materials and out-of-equilibrium quantum systems, driving materials discovery and design, and developing novel materials theory related to DOE missions. Research spans from analytical to computational approaches with a strong emphasis on theory, methods, and technique development, as well as prediction and interpretation of novel quantum phenomena. Applicants should focus on the development and use of innovative theoretical and computational methods, including computational design of quantum materials with atomic precision, and innovative physics-guided AI approaches to accelerate fundamental research.

For further information about this research area see https://science.osti.gov/bes/mse/Research-Areas/Theoretical-Condensed-Matter-Physics.

EXCLUSIONS: Not supported is research in soft matter, polymers, glasses, granular materials, cold atoms, classical transport, classical molecular dynamics, and optimization of physical properties.

(f) Physical Behavior of Materials

This research area supports fundamental research of the physical behavior of materials in response to external stimuli. The focus is on fundamental processes and interactions, including transport of charge, spin, and phonons in electronic, magnetic, and spintronic materials, as well as quantum photonics. Applicants should emphasize the impactful and fundamental science aspects of their research and how it relates to Physical Behavior of Materials specific scientific challenges. This subprogram also supports theory, modeling, simulation and data science efforts, especially activities that combine theoretical and experimental research in this area. For further information about this research area see https://science.osti.gov/bes/mse/Research-Areas/Physical-Behavior-of-Materials.

EXCLUSIONS: Applications focused on tuning, engineering, or optimizing materials properties will not be supported. Applications aimed at device fabrication, sensor development, or software development are also not supported.

(g) Mechanical Behavior and Radiation Effects

This research area supports basic research to understand defects in materials and their effects on the properties such as strength, structure, deformation, and failure. Defect formation, growth, migration, and propagation are examined by coordinated experimental and modeling efforts over a wide range of spatial and temporal scales as well as a range of environments and stimuli. Topics include deformation of nanostructured materials, fundamentals of displacive radiation damage, corrosion/stress-corrosion cracking in conjunction with radiation or stress, and research that would lead to microstructural design for tailored strength, radiation response, formability, and fracture resistance in energy-relevant materials. In addition to traditional structural materials, this research area also supports the understanding of fundamental deformation and failure mechanisms of other materials used in energy systems (e.g., polymers, membranes, coating materials, electrodes). Applicants focusing on radiation effects are encouraged to consider the priority research directions and priority research opportunities in the reports from the 2017 Basic Research Needs Workshop for Future Nuclear Energy and the 2022 Roundtable on Foundational Science to Accelerate Nuclear Energy Innovation. For further information about this research area see https://science.osti.gov/bes/mse/Research-Areas/Mechanical-Behavior-and-Radiation-Effects.

EXCLUSIONS: Not supported is optimization of properties of materials for specific applications or focused on developing simple structure-property correlations. Also not supported are high-strain-rate deformation, high-dose radiation, radiation effects in polymers or concrete, or mechanics of materials (rather than materials science).

(h) Quantum Information Science in Materials Sciences and Engineering

This topic provides opportunities for graduate students to engage in fundamental theoretical and experimental quantum information science (QIS) research with DOE National Laboratory scientists. Applications are sought in two topical areas: 1) Quantum Computing in Materials Science; and 2) Next-Generation Quantum Systems, as described below.

Quantum Computing in Materials Science: Applications are requested for theoretical research using quantum computers, emulators and/or annealers to solve scientific problems in materials science. Applications must describe how the proposed research addresses one or more of the Priority Research Opportunities identified in the report Basic Energy Sciences Roundtable on Opportunities for Quantum Computing in Chemical and Materials Sciences:

  1. Controlling the quantum dynamics of non-equilibrium materials systems
  2. Unraveling the physics of strongly correlated electron systems
  3. Developing algorithms for embedding quantum hardware in classical frameworks
  4. Bridging the classical-quantum computing divide.

Next-Generation Quantum Systems: Applications are requested for basic experimental or theoretical research focused on the discovery and characterization of quantum phenomena to enable the design and discovery of novel quantum information systems. Applications must describe how the proposed research addresses one or more of the Priority Research Opportunities identified in the report Basic Energy Sciences Roundtable on Opportunities for Basic Research for Next-Generation Quantum Systems:

  1. Advance artificial quantum-coherent systems with unprecedented functionality for QIS
  2. Enhance creation and control of coherence in quantum systems
  3. Discover novel approaches for quantum-to-quantum transduction
  4. Implement new quantum methods for advanced sensing and process control

For further information about this research area see https://science.osti.gov/bes/mse/Research-Areas/Quantum-Information-Science.

EXCLUSIONS: Applications that emphasize engineering, device optimization, or designing/building quantum computers and devices will not be considered. Applications that are focused on chemical systems or fundamental materials research of quantum phenomena in systems unrelated to QIS will not be considered. Applications that focus solely on algorithmic advances or software tools without a connection to BES-relevant science topics (a) to (k) will not be considered.

(i) X-ray Scattering

This topic supports basic research on the fundamental interactions of photons with matter to achieve an understanding of atomic, electronic, and magnetic structures and excitations and their relationships to materials properties, including the dynamics of quantum phenomena. The main emphasis is on x-ray scattering, spectroscopy, and imaging research, primarily at major BES-supported user facilities. Instrumentation development and experimental research in ultrafast materials science, across the full electromagnetic spectrum, is an integral part of the portfolio. This includes research aimed at manipulating and detecting ultrafast transient physical phenomena in materials, especially at excitation levels consistent with quantum phenomena and controlled energy conversion and transport.
Advances in x-ray scattering and ultrafast sciences will continue to be driven by scientific opportunities presented by improved source performance and optimized instrumentation, especially with the advent of improved synchrotron coherence and free electron laser sources. The x-ray scattering activity will expand current capabilities at the DOE facilities by providing support for students who work with independent external researchers who motivate and lead new instrumentation and technique development at those facilities. For example, research is sought that will take advantage of unprecedented levels of coherent brightness and of controlled timing structures at upgraded light source facilities.

New investments in ultrafast science will emphasize development of novel ultrafast techniques and focus on research that uses radiation sources associated with BES facilities and beamlines. New pump schemes to manipulate dynamic states of quantum materials will be supported, especially those which can be adapted to x-ray free-electron laser and ultrafast electron diffraction probe environments. Additionally, new approaches to improve the collection, processing and analysis of large data sets obtained with high repetition-rate pulsed sources or with fast multi-mega-pixel detector arrays are encouraged under the cross-cutting emerging domain of Data Sciences.

Novel X-ray techniques are sought that enable detailed investigations of the fundamental dynamic mechanisms of energy conversion systems and their active material components. This involves the interaction of complexity at atomic to mesoscopic length scales and requires the development of multimodal experimental techniques that examine the same active sample positions, in place and under operational boundary conditions. Of particular emphasis for new energy saving quantum computation is the in-place study of the evolution of quantum properties and phase transitions at the shortest relevant time scales.

For further information see https://science.osti.gov/bes/mse/Research-Areas/X-Ray-Scattering.

EXCLUSIONS: Not supported is research considered “mature use” of existing x-ray or ultrafast techniques. Typically, the emphasis on new techniques enables new access to inhomogeneous and dynamic systems and therefore this topic excludes steady-state research of bulk and equilibrium systems.

(j) Neutron Scattering

BES supports research and development in neutron scattering for fundamental understanding of matter at the national laboratories. Graduate students are provided opportunities to work side-by-side with scientists experienced in operation of some of the world’s cutting-edge instrumentation.

Applications proposing fundamental research on materials that exhibit novel emergent phenomena or unique properties resulting from out-of-equilibrium (or non-quiescent) conditions or structural inhomogeneity is encouraged. Characterizing and controlling such emergent behavior are keys to optimizing and exploiting a wide range of materials’ performance and functionality. In situ and operando characterizations can measure structure and dynamics of materials in the appropriate environment and at realistic conditions, yielding data for comparison to predictions. This topic area encourages development of novel measurement and/or analysis techniques that exploit the unique aspects of neutron scattering to facilitate the proposed materials research.

(k) Electron and Scanning Probe Microscopies

BES supports research and development in electron and scanning probe microscopy and basic research in materials sciences using advanced electron and scanning probe microscopy and related spectroscopy techniques to understand the atomic, electronic, and magnetic structures and properties of materials. The goal is to develop a fundamental understanding of materials, including quantum phenomena, through advanced microscopy, spectroscopy, and the associated theoretical tools. New capabilities are emerging to image functionalities that are critical for enabling significant progress in measuring and understanding functional materials and grand challenges in materials, chemical, and nano sciences.  Applications should emphasize innovative research using electron and scanning probe microscopy techniques for groundbreaking science. These include understanding and controlling nano- or meso-scale inhomogeneity and investigations of the interplay among the quantum observables (e.g., charge, spin) that produce unique properties. Research topics include imaging the functionality of materials and investigating electronic structure, spin dynamics, magnetism, and phase transitions; transport properties from atomistic to mesoscopic length scales; and data science methods in microscopy and data analysis including machine learning and artificial intelligence. Progress in materials research requires development of innovative techniques and probes that harness quantum behavior in their characterization schema, as well as the utilization of imaging and spectroscopic techniques for the understanding and control of material or defect formation and properties at the atomic or nanometer scales. Advanced in situ analysis capabilities for the study of time-dependent phenomena, including dynamics of quantum materials using ultrafast techniques, is also an area of interest in this topic. For further information about this research area see https://science.osti.gov/bes/mse/Research-Areas/Electron-and-Scanning-Probe-Microscopies.

EXCLUSIONS: Applications that target biomedical applications or systems (e.g., animal/human health) will NOT be considered. Applications that focus on research using conventional microscopy techniques will NOT be considered.

(l) Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Sciences

The Atomic, Molecular, and Optical sciences (AMOS) research area supports experimental and theoretical research that elucidates light-induced physical and chemical changes in molecular systems on ultrafast timescales. The targeted processes include (coherent) electron motion and subsequent coupled electronic-nuclear dynamics that occur throughout the course of photophysical and photochemical transformations. The AMOS research area will consider SCGSR applications focused on applying and developing state-of-the-art X-ray and electron diffraction-based probes of ultrafast chemistry at BES user facilities, including ANL, LBNL, and SLAC. Ultrafast phenomena that continue to be of interest include charge delocalization and transfer, bond breaking and making, and photochemical isomerization. Experimental and theoretical research that considers the interactions between matter and strong fields, including work at the interface of AMOS and QIS (e.g. strong light-matter coupling) is also encouraged. 

EXCLUSIONS: Applications in the areas of atomic and ultracold physics will not be considered. 

(m) Gas Phase Chemical Physics

This subprogram supports research on fundamental gas-phase chemical processes. Research in this subprogram explores chemical reactivity, kinetics, and dynamics in the gas phase and seeks to understand energy flow and reaction mechanisms in complex, nonequilibrium, gas-phase environments. The Gas Phase Chemical Physics (GPCP) subprogram seeks to understand and ultimately control emergent molecular complexity. Of particular interest is emergent behavior that manifests as a significant and possibly precipitous change in chemical reaction rates, branching ratios, particle growth, and/or product energy distributions with changes in conditions, e.g., temperature, pressure, ion concentration, and elementary reactions included in the reaction network. This topic currently supports the following two research thrusts:

1. Chemical Reactivity comprises research in chemical kinetics and mechanisms, chemical dynamics, collisional energy transfer, and the construction of, and calculations on, molecular potential energy surfaces. The subprogram emphasizes research that develops fundamental insights and transferable knowledge of energy flow and chemical reactions, including electron-driven chemistry. Applications are encouraged that develop AI/ML methods for the construction of potential energy surfaces and optimization of chemical kinetic mechanisms.

2. Gas-Particle Interconversions comprises research on the chemistry of small gas-phase particles, including their interactions with gas-phase molecules and dynamic evolution to understand the molecular mechanisms of formation, growth and transformation (such as evaporation, phase transition, and reactive processing) of small particles.

For further information about this research area see https://science.osti.gov/bes/csgb/Research-Areas/Gas-Phase-Chemical-Physics.

EXCLUSIONS: Topics of research that will NOT be considered are: non-reacting fluid dynamics (transport phenomena including computational fluid dynamics (CFD), reacting and non-reacting turbulent flow, and the impact of transport of chemical reactions), spray dynamics, data-sharing software development, end-use combustion device development, characterization or optimization of end-use combustion devices, and spectroscopic investigations of molecular structure.

(n) Computational and Theoretical Chemistry

This topic supports fundamental research for the sustained development [1], innovation, and integration of theoretical and massively parallel computational approaches for the accurate and efficient prediction of chemical processes and mechanisms relevant to the DOE missions. This research area focuses on enabling the simulation of chemical systems and dynamical processes that are so complex that efficient computational implementation must be accomplished in concert with development of new theories and algorithms. Efforts must be tightly integrated with the research and goals of BES and provide theories and computational approaches to advance the fundamental science of chemical transformations and energy and information transduction processes across multiple scales in complex environments and systems. Applications may include the development or improvement of modular computational tools that enhance interpretation and analysis of advanced experimental measurements, including those acquired at DOE user facilities, or efforts aimed at enhancing the accuracy, precision, applicability and scalability of quantum-mechanical simulation methods. Also included are the development of spatial and temporal multiscale methodologies that allow for time-dependent simulations of relativistic, coherent, entangled, and dissipative processes as well as rare events. Development of novel theories and simulation capabilities for theory-guided control of externally driven electronic and spin-dependent processes in real environments is encouraged.

The focus for this research area is on the innovation of predictive mechanistic theories and practical, systematically improvable and hierarchical methods for describing and simulating dynamical processes occurring in complex molecular ensembles and environments. Topics of interest within this focus include the development and integration of quantum chemical and quantum dynamical approaches for the accurate simulation and prescriptive design of (i) systems-level behaviors and other emergent functionalities and phenomena for manipulating information and energy transduction, with specific emphasis on dynamical chemical systems that exploit coordinated effects of chirality, topology, and magnetoelectric interactions to achieve novel functionalities, (ii) non-biological cooperative reaction networks and mechanisms, leading to programmable matter, chemical artificial intelligence, and/or molecular cybernetic functionalities, or (iii) correlated multi-electron, multi-photon, and/or interacting quasiparticle governed chemical transformation and energy transduction processes, including those that may require consideration of symmetry violations or non-Hermitian or non-memoryless dynamical approaches to describe, in field-driven complex open quantum systems.

EXCLUSIONS: This topic does not support projects based on (i) the “mature use” of presently available implementations of computational and theoretical chemistry methods and/or approaches, (ii) the development of phenomenological models and empirical parameterization of models, iii) methods for, or applications to, systems that do not explicitly consider rearrangements of quantum-mechanical degrees of freedom, or (iv) the development of density functional theory approximations or machine-learned potentials. AI/ML focused efforts in this research area must develop run-time compute intensive algorithms and methods, such as those that require reasoning and/or inference modelling to be performed during their execution, to advance the current state-of-the-art in exascale, quantum hardware-based, or other novel compute paradigm-based simulations of chemical systems and processes for fundamental knowledge discovery.

[1] A Perspective on Sustainable Computational Chemistry Software Development and Integration, R. Di Felice et al., J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2023, 19, 7056. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jctc.3c00419.

(o) Condensed Phase and Interfacial Molecular Science

This topic emphasizes basic research at the boundary of chemistry and physics, pursuing a molecular-level understanding of chemical and physical processes in liquids and at interfaces. With its foundation in chemical physics, the impact of this crosscutting research topic is far reaching, providing understanding and scientific foundations underpinning a variety of areas of importance to the DOE, including energy, chemical synthesis and manufacturing, quantum information science, and microelectronics. Fundamental studies of reactive processes driven by radiolysis in condensed phases and at interfaces provide improved understanding of radiation-driven chemistry in nuclear fuel and waste environments. The Condensed Phase and Interfacial Molecular Science (CPIMS) topic also supports efforts related to research priorities such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning that can form the basis for new approaches to understanding science questions of interest to the CPIMS topic.

Experimental and theoretical investigations in the gas phase, condensed phase, and at interfaces aim at elucidating the molecular-scale chemical and physical properties and interactions that govern chemical reactivity, solute/solvent structure, and transport. Studies of reaction dynamics at well-characterized surfaces and clusters lead to the development of theories on the molecular origins of surface-mediated catalysis and heterogeneous chemistry. Studies of model condensed phase systems target first-principles understanding of molecular reactivity and dynamical processes in solution and at interfaces. The transition from molecular-scale chemistry to collective phenomena in complex systems is also of interest, allowing knowledge gained at the molecular level to be exploited through the dynamics and kinetics of collective interactions. In this manner, the desired evolution is toward predictive capabilities that span the microscopic to nanoscale domains, enabling the understanding of molecular-scale interactions as well as their role in complex, collective behavior at larger scales. A molecular level understanding of complex molecular systems is sought, capturing the essence of chemical behavior, knowledge of the main molecular-level driving forces behind the behavior, and discovery of universal principles that can be applied more widely.

This research area seeks increased emphasis in Systems Chemistry, for which energy is provided to dissipative systems at the molecular level, seeking to understand how interacting molecular networks can lead to emergent reactive behavior. Examples include reaction-diffusion systems, positional information, compartmentalized reaction networks, substrate-induced reactive systems, chemical replication, and the chemical dynamics of nonequilibrium catalysis. The CPIMS topic seeks increasing emphasis on chemistry at the boundaries of condensed matter physics, including where unexpected emergent behavior has been identified. Examples of recent supported projects in this area include a study of how chemical reactions might be supported at the surface of topological materials, another studying the impact of Moiré effects on electrochemistry, and another that explores use of the theories of topological physics to change the way chemical reactions are understood and manipulated.

For further information about this research area see https://science.osti.gov/bes/csgb/Research-Areas/Condensed-Phase-and-InterfacialMolecular-Sciences.

EXCLUSIONS: This topic does not fund research in mechanics or dynamics of bulk fluids, technological applications, or device development.

(p) Quantum Information Science Research in Chemical Sciences, Geosciences, and Biosciences

This topic provides opportunities for graduate students to engage in fundamental theoretical and experimental QIS research with DOE National Laboratory scientists. Efforts in this area provide a foundational understanding of quantum information control in complex molecular systems and build the necessary scientific basis to develop chemical design principles for next-generation quantum technologies in computing, communication, and sensing.

Applicable research areas include:

Fundamental understanding of complex chemical systems from QIS-centric perspective, targeting

  • Development of physically grounded measures of non-classical correlations in molecular systems, using quantum resource theory to investigate their generation, manipulation, and interconversion under physically motivated constraints.
  • Investigation of quantum information scrambling and chaotic dynamics in molecular systems to uncover how complex interactions and many-body effects govern the flow, delocalization, and irreversibility of quantum information.

Molecular design principles for quantum technology, targeting

  • Use of dynamically modulated external fields and measurement-based feedback control to enable the generation, manipulation, and resiliency of quantum information resources.
  • Investigation of high-dimensional quantum information encoding in molecular systems, including continuous-variable representations and qudit architectures, with opportunities for both theoretical and experimental research.
  • Development of quantum thermodynamics approaches to uncover novel mechanisms of energy, entropy, and information flow at the quantum scale, with potential to enable new quantum technologies for energy conversion and storage.

Novel quantum computing paradigms aiming at the development of

  • Alternative models of quantum computation for molecular systems that move beyond circuit-based approaches, drawing on paradigms such as measurement-based quantum computing, quantum cellular automata, and other spatially and structurally informed frameworks that take advantage of the inherent locality, symmetry, and dynamical structure of molecular processes.
  • Universal mappings of molecular processes into abstract and controllable quantum surrogate models that not only support simulation on quantum hardware but also serve as standalone representations for exposing hidden structure and extracting fundamental physical insight for the underlying system.
  • Interpretable quantum machine learning approaches to uncover physically meaningful structure within molecular quantum systems, including the extraction of patterns, universal representations, and resource features from trained models; the discovery of underlying mechanisms and control principles; and the refinement of theoretical frameworks.

EXCLUSIONS: Applications that (1) emphasize engineering, device optimization, or designing/building quantum computers and devices; (2) propose computational simulation without contributing to the understanding or advancement of foundational QIS principles; (3) focus solely on algorithmic advances or software tools without a connection to BES-relevant science topics (l) to (w) will not be considered.

(q) Catalysis Science

This research topic supports basic research pursuing novel catalyst design and molecular-level control of energy relevant chemical transformations. Emphasis is on the understanding of reaction mechanisms, enabling precise identification and manipulation of catalytic active sites, their environments, and reaction conditions for optimized efficiency and selectivity. Elucidation of catalytic reaction mechanisms in diverse chemical environments and the structure-reactivity relationships of solid and molecular catalysts comprises a central component of this research area.

A long-term objective is to promote the convergence of heterogeneous, homogeneous, electro-, and bio-catalysis as a means to discover novel inorganic, organic, and hybrid catalysts that are atom and energy efficient for selective fuel and chemical production.
Specific focus areas are described below:

  • Advanced concepts concerning catalyst design, including topics related to atomically precise synthesis, enabling, for instance: multi-functionality, confinement within porous materials, site cooperativity, nano- and single-atom stabilized structures, and manipulation of weak interactions.
  • Substituting or coupling thermal energy sources with less-energy intensive ones, such as electrical, mechanochemical, or electromagnetic sources leading to efficient chemical processes, such as low-temperature electrosynthesis, integrated separation-catalytic processes, among others.
  • Strategies that explore catalysts and mechanisms associated with direct catalytic transformations in multicomponent mixtures, multiple reactions, and integrated processes, including selective breakdown or functionalization of synthetic or natural polymers.
  • Catalysis mediated by earth-abundant metals or investigations related to transformations targeting the reduction or elimination of the use of platinum group and other critical elements.
  • Examination of the dynamics of catalyst and electronic structures occurring during catalytic cycles and deactivation via the development of novel spectroscopic techniques and structural probes for in situ/operando characterization of catalytic processes. This also includes strategies to induce changes in catalytic structure and activity via response to stimuli.
  • Integrated theory-experiment and predictive theoretical catalysis supported by data-intensive and AI/Machine Learning approaches for mechanism identification, catalyst discovery and development, and benchmarking of catalytic properties.

EXCLUSIONS: This activity does not consider: (1) the study of transformations for pharmaceutical applications; (2) non-catalytic stoichiometric reactions; (3) whole cell or organismal catalysis; (4) studies where the primary focus is photochemistry or photophysics; (5) processes principally focused on battery technologies; (6) synthesis efforts that are not primarily geared toward catalytic outcomes; and (7) studies primarily focused on process or reactor design and optimization.

For further information about this research area see https://science.osti.gov/bes/csgb/Research-Areas/Catalysis-Science. 

(r) Separation Science

This topic supports hypothesis-based experimental and computational research that addresses fundamental questions focused on discovering, understanding, predicting, and controlling de-mixing transitions, with the goal of enabling chemical separation paradigms that may become the basis for solutions to current and long-term energy challenges. Basic research in this topic relies on understanding chemical and physical properties at multiple length and time scales, quantum through macroscopic properties, and molecular interactions and energy exchanges that determine the efficiency of chemical separations.
This topic area currently supports five fundamental research thrusts within separation science that are molecularly focused and in a nascent stage. Selected topics of interest include:

  • discovering, understanding, and predicting paradigms for removal of dilute constituents from a mixture, including consideration of kinetics or transport properties;
  • elucidating factors that cause a separation system to approach mass transfer limitations;
  • understanding non-thermal and other non-traditional mechanisms that have the potential to drive efficient and selective energy-relevant separations, such as magnetic, mechanic, electromagnetic, magneto-reactive, bio-inspired, and other novel means to affect transport kinetics;
  • elucidating how separation parameters and processes such as high selectivity, capacity, and throughput are impacted by complex and/or interconnected separation system properties;
  • understanding temporal changes in separation systems such as activation, degradation, or solvation.

Fundamental scientific questions focused on addressing knowledge gaps in user-inspired DOE themes can be include but are not required. These include enabling new strategies for critical minerals and materials separations. For further information about this research area see https://science.osti.gov/bes/csgb/Research-Areas/separation-science.

EXCLUSIONS: This activity does not support engineering design, optimization, or scale-up; development of narrowly defined syntheses, processes, or devices; established desalination approaches; microfluidics technology; or sensors.

(s) Heavy Element Chemistry

This topic area supports f-block & beyond fundamental chemical research that underpins the DOE missions in energy, environment, and national security with an emphasis on the chemical and physical properties of the transuranic elements. The unique molecular bonding of these elements is explored using experiment and theory to elucidate electronic and molecular structure, reaction thermodynamics, as well as quantum phenomena such as coherence and entanglement. Investigations of the superheavy elements where relativistic chemical effects dominate and half-lives are short, are a challenging test of theoretical and chemical techniques; these proposals are highly encouraged. Applications focused on extraction should be responsive to the research needs described in the report from the Office of Science workshop on Basic Research Needs for Environmental Management (July 8-11, 2015) to elucidate electronic and molecular structure as well as reaction thermodynamics. Applicants should also look at the priority research directions and opportunities discussed in the report from the July 2022 Basic Energy Sciences Roundtable on Foundational Science to Accelerate Nuclear Energy Innovation. For further information about this research area see https://science.osti.gov/bes/csgb/Research-Areas/Heavy-Element-Chemistry.

EXCLUSIONS: Based on programmatic priorities, topics of research that will NOT be considered are: the processes affecting the transport of subsurface contaminants, isotope development, microfluidics, medical research, and projects aimed at optimization of materials properties including radiation damage, device fabrication, or biological systems.

(t) Geosciences

This topic supports a broad range of fundamental experimental, theoretical, and computational research in geochemistry and geophysics with clear connections to energy production or recovery of critical elements. Geochemical research emphasizes fundamental understanding of the reaction mechanisms and rates associated with geochemical processes, focusing on molecular to mesoscale aspects of minerals and interfaces, and on the molecular origins of critical element distributions and the migration, separation, and fractionation pathways in the earth. Geophysical research focuses on new approaches to understand subsurface processes that characterize the evolution of fractures in the upper crust, particularly when associated with enhanced geothermal systems and hydrocarbon prospection & recovery. Applicants should look at the geosciences-aligned priority research directions and opportunities discussed in the BES workshop and roundtable reports. The reports that contain particularly topical geosciences topics include  Basic Research Needs for Geosciences: Facilitating 21st Century Energy Systems (2007) and Controlling Subsurface Fractures and Fluid Flow: A Basic Research Agenda (2015).  

The inclusion of artificial intelligence or quantum computational methods are particularly desirable. While the work should have a well-defined connection to energy production or critical elements, priority in BES Geosciences funding is given to research that has strong potential for breakthrough science. For further information about this research area see https://science.osti.gov/bes/csgb/Research-Areas/Geosciences. 

EXCLUSIONS: Applications that do not describe subsurface science (e.g. oceanography), will be declined. Topics of research that will NOT be considered are: wellbore integrity, advanced drilling methods, hydraulic fracturing technologies, remediation tools, stimulation methods, CO2 sequestration, projects aimed at optimization of processes for industry, code development, engineering design or scale-up, development of narrowly defined processes or devices, biological research, device fabrication, microfluidics, or sensors; these are all more appropriately supported through other DOE programs.

(u) Photochemistry and Radiation Chemistry

This activity supports fundamental, molecular-level research on capture of energy in the solar spectrum and conversion in the condensed phase and at interfaces. Photochemical approaches may ultimately form the basis of new energy technologies that generate electricity or energy-rich chemicals from light. Supported research areas include mission-relevant light-driven chemistry including organic and inorganic chemistry, electron and energy transfer in condensed phase and interfacial molecular systems, electrocatalysis and photocatalysis of fuel-relevant reactions, semiconductor photoelectrochemistry, and artificial assemblies that mimic natural photosynthetic systems.

An additional regime of interest is the chemistry initiated through the creation of excited states with ionizing radiation, as can be produced through electron pulse radiolysis, to investigate reaction dynamics, structure, and energetics of short-lived transient intermediates in the condensed phase, solutions, and interfaces. Fundamental, molecular-level research in this area can provide a foundation to address challenges in reactor chemistry, waste separation, and waste storage related to nuclear power generation.

For further information about this research area see https://science.osti.gov/bes/csgb/Research-Areas/Solar-Photochemistry. 

EXCLUSIONS: Photochemistry and Radiation Chemistry does not fund applied research on device development or optimization, though science-focused studies on component integration are within scope.

(v) Photosynthetic Systems

Applications to this topic area should be for basic research on the capture and conversion of solar energy to chemical energy in the photosynthetic systems of plants, algae, and photosynthetic microbes. Topics of study include, but are not limited to, light harvesting, proton and electron transport, reduction of carbon dioxide to form organic compounds, and the self-assembly and self-repair of photosynthetic proteins, complexes and membranes. Examples of specific topics under these headings include capture of CO2 by carboxylase enzymes and bicarbonate transporters, light-driven production of H2 by hydrogenase enzymes, energy flow through light harvesting proteins, and light-driven electron transport over long and short molecular distances. The broad goal of this research topic is to foster greater knowledge of the diverse photosynthetic systems found in nature. These offer a natural library of self-assembling biochemical systems that conduct unusually efficient transfers and conversions of energy from one form to another. Understanding these systems can guide the improvement of plants and algae for human uses and the development of biomimetic or biohybrid energy devices.

All applications must clearly state how the knowledge gained from the proposed research is relevant to greater mechanistic understanding of the capture and conversion of solar energy to chemical energy in the photosynthetic systems of plants, algae, and photosynthetic bacteria. For further information about this research area see https://science.osti.gov/bes/csgb/Research-Areas/Photosynthetic-Systems.

EXCLUSIONS: This topic does not fund: 1) development or optimization of energy devices or processes; 2) development or optimization of microbial strains or plant varieties for biofuel or biomass production; 3) phenotype analyses that do not test specific hypotheses relevant to this research topic; 4) genomic, transcriptomic, or proteomic data acquisition that does not test specific hypotheses relevant to this research topic; and 5) projects that are primarily computational in nature.

(w) Physical Biosciences

This research area supports basic research into the chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, and molecular biology that underpins energy capture, conversion and storage in plants and non-medical microbes. Primary focus areas of this research area include studies that investigate:

  • the structure/function, mechanistic, and electrochemical properties of enzymes that catalyze complex multielectron reactions (especially those involved in the interconversion of CO2/CH4, N2/NH3, and H+/H2);
  • complex metallocofactors biosynthesis;
  • cofactor redox tuning through ligand coordination and local chemical environments to reduce overpotential and better enable catalysis using earth-abundant metals;
  • electron bifurcation and catalytic bias;
  • proton and electron tunneling and other quantum phenomena in non-photosynthetic systems;
  • factors and critical components that direct and regulate electron and energy flow on larger spatial and temporal scales through energy-relevant metabolic pathways.

Limited support is provided for basic research on the biosynthesis and structure of important electron stores in biological systems (plant cell walls, lipids, terpenes, ect.), studies that provide insight into the assembly and maintenance of biological energy transduction systems, and research to understand the roles played by ion gradients in storing energy and driving transport processes. Please note that in the area of plant cell wall biosynthesis and structure, applications will only be considered if they focus on the physics or chemistry of the complex polymer/polymer interactions that give rise to the mesoscale properties of these materials. A fundamental understanding of how these properties emerge from the underlying molecular phenomena could inspire new strategies for stabilizing, destabilizing, and/or converting synthetic polymers and plastics.

For further information about this research area see https://science.osti.gov/bes/csgb/Research-Areas/Physical-Biosciences 

EXCLUSIONS: This topic does not fund research in: 1) animal systems; 2) prokaryotic systems related to human/animal health or disease; 3) development or optimization of energy devices or processes; 4) development or optimization of microbial strains or plant varieties for biofuel/biomass production; 5) cell wall breakdown or deconstruction; 6) transcriptional or translational regulatory mechanisms or processes; 7) environmental remediation or identification of environmental hazards; and 8) genomic or other “omic” data acquisition that does not test specific hypotheses relevant to this research topic.

(x) Accelerator and Detector Research

Basic Energy Sciences (BES) supports accelerator and detector research and development in support of its current and future x-ray and neutron sources. These facilities give graduate students the opportunity to work side-by-side with scientists that are operating some of the world’s cutting-edge facilities and also developing advanced technology for next-generation facilities. Accelerator physics has always relied on inventing, developing, and adapting advanced technologies to enable state-of-the-art research. With the adoption of particle accelerator and detector technologies by many scientific fields, the demand for skilled practitioners in these areas has grown significantly. As the scale of particle accelerators and their associated detectors has grown, very few universities have been able to maintain the infrastructure needed to provide such practical training, and students typically have to rely on short residencies at accelerator laboratories to receive such experience. BES is particularly interested in the training of graduate students in novel and advanced accelerator concepts, radio frequency (rf) engineering, new electron source technologies for x-ray free electron lasers including photocathodes, beam diagnostics instrumentation, nonlinear beam dynamics analysis, beam optics design, and detector technology. Also of interest are AI/ML tools applied to optimization and control of accelerators and accelerator data analytics.

EXCLUSIONS: Based on programmatic priorities, topics of research that will NOT be considered are: the development of materials for detectors or x-ray optics, or the development of algorithms for detector data management and analysis, which are supported through other DOE programs.

(y) Instruments R&D for Neutron and X-ray Facilities

There is a critical need to train scientific and technical staff to develop, upgrade, and operate a large suite of scattering and imaging instruments at the high brilliance light and high flux neutron sources to enable state-of-the-art research in science and technology. BES operates five light sources (ALS, APS, NSLS-II, SSRL, and LCLS) and two neutron facilities (SNS and HFIR) with about 200 instruments of different classes operating day and night and over 10,000 annual scientific users. In addition, BES is upgrading its facilities with new accelerator technologies such as SNS-PPU, ALS-U, APS-U, and LCLS-II-HE, and is constructing multiple new beamlines and instruments at NSLS-II to sustain US leadership in this important area. These facilities provide graduate students the opportunities to work side-by-side with the teams of instrument scientists who conduct research, operate some of the world’s cutting-edge instruments that are highly optimized for the study of structure and dynamics in a wide range of length and time scales at unprecedented speed and spatial and energy resolution, and develop advanced instruments for next-generation facilities. Also supported is science-driven development of next-generation instrumentation concepts, novel tools, time resolved, in-situ and operando and multimodal measurement capabilities, and software infrastructure for machine learning, data analytics, and automated experimentation to accelerate the discovery of solutions for forefront scientific challenges in basic science.
Applications should focus on transformative opportunities for graduate students to carry out research in collaboration with instrument scientists at the facilities to develop instrumentation, novel techniques, and computational tools for enhancing the impact of the world leading BES neutron and light sources.

EXCLUSIONS: Applications will only be considered if they emphasize the development of instrumentation, technique, or software for the instruments at the facilities. Those focused solely on using the facilities for science will NOT be considered as that scope is being covered by other topics.

V. Fusion Energy Sciences (FES)

The mission of the Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) program is to drive the scientific and technological foundation for a fusion energy source and support the development of a competitive U.S. fusion energy industry. The FES mission includes advancing the basic research needed to solve foundational science and technology gaps towards the development of fusion power as an abundant energy source in the U.S. This approach includes fulfilling the fusion energy mission by a shift in the balance of research toward the Long-Range Plan (LRP) Fusion Materials and Technology (FM&T) gaps, which connects the three science drivers: Sustain a Burning Plasma, Engineer for Extreme Conditions, and Harness Fusion Energy. SC supports U.S. participation in ITER to provide U.S. scientists access to a burning plasma experimental facility aligned with the goals of the LRP. The DIII-D National Fusion Facility and the National Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade (NSTX-U) facility are world-leading Office of Science (SC) user facilities for experimental research, used by scientists from national laboratories, universities, and industry research groups, to optimize magnetic confinement regimes. Additionally, FES is actively developing Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) through dedicated collaboration hubs to strategically advance inertial confinement approaches, recognizing its distinct and vital role in the broader pursuit of fusion energy.

Program Website: https://science.osti.gov/fes/ 

The size and complexity of world-leading experiments in the field of plasma physics are rapidly expanding beyond the scale of the single university investigator. Prime examples of this are research in burning plasma science and high-energy-density plasmas. It is essential that the U.S. develop a workforce with the necessary skills and experience in burning plasma science to maintain U.S. leadership in fusion and to fully capitalize on the U.S. investment in large-scale research infrastructure. This means enabling students to pursue grand-challenge problems in burning plasma science by providing them access to parameter regimes only available at the highest pressures (thermal and magnetic) as well as state-of-the-art diagnostics available at SC supported facilities. Student accessibility to premier facilities is important for developing a workforce with the critical scientific and team-building skills necessary to achieve our mission and secure U.S. leadership in this emergent field of science in the coming decades.

Recently, FES has released a Roadmap in the Fusion Science and Technology (FS&T) areas to implement the Build-Innovate-Grow strategy to support a competitive U.S. fusion industry to realize commercial fusion energy. It defines how DOE will respond to FESAC LRP recommendations and maps to the FESAC LRP Science Drivers. The key actions of this Roadmap include closing the S&T gaps by addressing the following six challenge areas.

  • (a) Structural Materials Science & Technology: The design, development and qualification of materials, structures and systems that can withstand the high neutron flux, thermal loads and environmental stresses of a fusion power plant. It includes research on physical and mechanical properties, manufacturing and qualification of materials that form the core vessel, support structures and in-vessel components.
  • (b) Plasma-Facing Components and Plasma-Materials Interactions: The design and testing of materials, structures and systems that can withstand the high neutron flux, thermal loads and environmental stresses of a fusion power plant. It includes research on physical and mechanical properties, manufacturing and qualification of materials that directly interact with plasma. It includes solid and liquid metal walls, advanced composites, chamber and divertor design and technology along with the understanding of plasma-material interactions needed to manage challenges such as erosion, fuel retention and dust.
  • (c) Advancing Confinement Approaches: The physics and engineering of creating, sustaining and controlling high performance burning plasmas. It includes turbulence and transport, stability, coupling, core-edge integration and disruption avoidance, with the goal of achieving fusion-relevant confinement regimes and sustained energy output.
  • (d) Fuel Cycle and Tritium Processing: The technologies and processes needed to produce, handle and recycle fusion fuels in a closed loop. It includes exhaust and separation systems, storage and inventory control, accountancy and development of supporting technologies like permeation barriers and detritiation systems.
  • (e) Blanket Science & Technology: The development of blanket concepts (e.g., solid, liquid, molten salt), materials compatibility studies, thermal hydraulics, tritium transport modeling and integrated testing to validate performance and maintainability.
  • (f) Fusion Plant Engineering & System Integration: The design and integration of the entire plant system, beyond the fusion engine. It includes balance-of-plant technologies such as power conversion and plant-wide control systems, as well as remote maintenance and robotics. It also includes the codes, models, tools and platforms for fully integrated power plant modelling.

The Plasma Science and Technology (PS&T) portion of the FES portfolio provides the ability to create and manipulate plasmas with densities and temperatures spanning many orders of magnitude. This has led to the establishment of plasma science as a multi-disciplinary field, necessary for understanding the flow of energy and momentum in astrophysical plasmas, as well as enabling the development of breakthrough technologies. This activity supports world-class plasma science experiments and collaborative research facilities at small and intermediate scales. These platforms not only facilitate addressing frontier plasma science questions but also provide critical data for the verification and validation of plasma science simulation codes and comparisons with space observations.

PS&T research is supported in the following three areas:

  • (g) General Plasma Science (GPS): GPS supports foundational research at the frontiers of basic and low-temperature plasma. The aim is to develop accurate descriptions of the complex behavior of the plasma state, to push it into new regimes that expand our concept of what constitutes a plasma, to design experiments and diagnostics to explore these states, and to validate theoretical models. Challenge areas include dynamical processes in laboratory, space, and astrophysical plasmas, such as magnetic reconnection, dynamo, shocks, turbulence cascade, structures, waves, flows and their interactions; behavior of dusty plasmas, non-neutral, single component matter or antimatter plasmas, and ultra-cold neutral plasmas; plasma chemistry, processes, and interactions in low temperature plasma.
  • (h) High Energy Density Plasmas (HEDP): Research directed at exploring the behavior of plasmas at extreme conditions of temperature, density, and pressure, including relativistic high energy density (HED) plasmas and intense beam physics, magnetized HED plasma physics, multiply ionized HED atomic physics, HED hydrodynamics, warm dense matter, nonlinear optics of plasmas and laser-plasma interactions, laboratory astrophysics, and diagnostics for HEDP.
  • (i) Plasma Technology: This portfolio focuses on translational research leading to the development of low-temperature-plasma-based applications and technologies to address critical industrial challenges. Its essential role is best exemplified by the semiconductor industry, where plasmas are a cornerstone of microelectronics fabrication; from generating EUV photons for lithography to atomic-scale processing. This unique ability to drive reactions and modify surfaces makes it a versatile and transformative tool for industrial engineering, environmental remediation, medicine, agriculture, catalysis, and nanomaterials synthesis.

VI. High Energy and Nuclear Physics (HENP)

The High Energy and Nuclear Physics (HENP) program integrates the research missions of High Energy Physics (HEP) and Nuclear Physics (NP), leveraging their strong synergies in technological approaches to explore the fundamental nature of matter and energy.

HEP: One major component of the HENP mission, HEP seeks to understand how our universe works at its most fundamental level. We do this by discovering the elementary constituents of matter and energy, probing the interactions between them, and exploring the basic nature of space and time. This effort is part of a global enterprise of discovery, with students and scientists world-wide working side-by-side to unlock the secrets of the universe.

Program Website: https://science.osti.gov/hep 

The HEP experimental research program focuses on three scientific frontiers:

  • The Energy Frontier, where powerful accelerators are used to create new particles, reveal their interactions, and investigate fundamental forces;
  • The Intensity Frontier, where intense particle beams and highly sensitive detectors are used to pursue alternate pathways to investigate fundamental forces and particle interactions by studying events that occur rarely in nature, and to provide precision measurements of these phenomena; and
  • The Cosmic Frontier, where precision measurements of naturally occurring cosmic particles and phenomena are used to reveal the nature of dark matter, understand the cosmic acceleration caused by dark energy and inflation, infer certain neutrino properties, and explore the unknown.

Together, these three interrelated and complementary discovery frontiers offer the opportunity to answer some of the most basic questions about the world around us.

The scientific objectives and priorities for the field recommended by the High Energy Physics Advisory Panel are detailed in the long-range plan available at:  https://science.osti.gov/~/media/hep/pdf/files/pdfs/p5_report_06022008.pdf.

NP: The other key component of the HENP mission, NP seeks to discover, explore, and understand all forms of nuclear matter to reveal its origin, evolution, and structure in the universe.
While the fundamental constituents of matter—quarks and gluons—are known, how they interact and combine to form protons, neutrons, and nuclei, and how these in turn create the different types of matter and properties we observe, remains a central challenge in science. To solve this mystery, the NP program supports experimental and theoretical research—along with the development and operation of particle accelerators and advanced technologies—to create, detect, and describe the different forms and complexities of nuclear matter.
In executing this mission, the NP program focuses on three broad, interrelated scientific thrusts, as described in the 2023 Nuclear Science Advisory Committee (NSAC) Long Range Plan https://science.osti.gov/np/nsac/, "A New Era of Discovery”:

  • Quantum Chromodynamics,
  • Nuclei and Nuclear Astrophysics, and
  • Fundamental Symmetries and Neutrinos.

Program Website: https://science.osti.gov/np

Cross-cutting research and technology: The HENP mission is enabled by a foundation of cross-cutting research and technology. These integral activities develop the necessary tools and methods for discovery:

  • Accelerator Science and Technology Research and Development, where the technologies and basic science needed to design, build, and operate the accelerator facilities essential for making new discoveries are developed; and
  • Particle Detector Research and Development, where the technologies and basic science needed to design, build, and operate the detector facilities essential for making new discoveries are developed.

The HENP program also actively leverages and contributes to other SC convergence topics. Advances in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Microelectronics, and Quantum Information Science (QIS) are integral to pushing the frontiers of discovery, enabling more sophisticated data analysis, next-generation instrumentation, and new theoretical, computational and sensing paradigms.

HENP’s priority research areas for SCGSR program include:

(a) Theoretical and Computational Research in High Energy Physics

This priority area supports activities that range from detailed calculations of the predictions of the Standard Model to the extrapolation of current knowledge to a new level of understanding, and the identification of the means to experimentally verify such predictions. It also supports computational, simulation, and data tools that are important for HEP research – in particular those that exploit near-term advanced architectures (ranging from supercomputers to dedicated hardware that selects events of interest in under a microsecond) and computational solutions that can be applied across the HEP science drivers. Topics studied in this priority area include, but are not limited to: phenomenological and theoretical studies that support experimental HEP research at the Energy, Intensity and Cosmic Frontiers, both in understanding the data and in finding new directions for experimental exploration; development of analytical and numerical computational techniques for these studies including incorporation of concepts from big data and analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), and efficient parallel computing in distributed environments; computational science and simulations that advance theoretical high energy physics or scientific discovery aligned with the HEP mission; and construction and exploration of theoretical frameworks for understanding fundamental particles and forces at the deepest level possible.

(b) Experimental Research in High Energy Physics

The experimental HEP research effort supports experiments utilizing human-made and/or naturally occurring particle sources to study fundamental particles and their interactions. Topics studied in the experimental research program include, but are not limited to: proton-proton collisions at the highest possible energies; studies of neutrino properties using accelerator-produced neutrino beams or cosmic data, neutrinos from nuclear reactors; sensitive measurements of rarely occurring phenomena that can indicate new physics beyond the Standard Model; measurements of cosmic acceleration caused by dark energy and inflation; and detection of the particles that make up cosmic dark matter.

Applications to this priority area should explicitly address how the proposed training will enhance the applicant’s experience and abilities in the critical areas of particle detector instrumentation and/or computational science including incorporation of concepts from big data and analytics machine learning, efficient parallel computing in distributed environments, and large-scale computing for HEP. Programmatic priority in this topic will be given to those applications that most effectively address this issue.

(c) Theoretical and Computational Research in Nuclear Physics

The Theoretical and Computational Research in Nuclear Physics subprogram seeks to improve our fundamental understanding of nuclear physics by developing theoretical frameworks, interpreting experimental results, and identifying new areas of research. This subprogram addresses all of the field’s scientific thrusts as described in the NSAC Long Range Plan.
Research in this area tackles the most challenging questions in the field by integrating theoretical physics with advanced high-performance computing and AI/ML. This includes:

  • Exploring Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD): Theoretical and computational work, particularly using techniques like Lattice QCD (LQCD), addresses how the properties of protons, neutrons, and nuclei emerge from the fundamental theory of quarks and gluons. It also investigates the phenomenon of quark confinement and predicts the phases of nuclear matter at extreme temperatures and densities.
  • Investigating Nuclei and Nuclear Astrophysics: Theorists use advanced computational models to calculate the properties of stable and unstable nuclei, define the limits of their existence, and understand their role in cataclysmic events like supernovae and neutron star mergers, including nucleosynthesis and gravitational wave generation.
  • Testing Fundamental Symmetries: This research uses nucleons and nuclei as laboratories to test the Standard Model and search for new physics. It provides the theoretical basis for experiments involving neutrinos, rare decays, and high-precision measurements.

Much of this work is advanced through cross-cutting programs like the Scientific Discovery through Advanced Computing (SciDAC) initiative, which leverages DOE's leadership-class supercomputers to solve the most computationally challenging problems in nuclear science.

(d) Experimental Research in Nuclear Physics

This category supports experimental research across the three scientific thrusts of the NP program, utilizing world-class facilities to answer fundamental questions about the nature of matter.
Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD): Experimental research in this thrust explores the behavior of quarks and gluons. This includes using high-energy electron beams at facilities like the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (TJNAF) to map the internal quark-gluon landscape of protons and neutrons, and searching for exotic particles that reveal the role of gluons in binding matter. It also involves creating a quark-gluon plasma—a state of matter not seen since the early universe—in heavy ion collisions at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) and the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) to study the collective properties of QCD at extreme temperatures and densities.

Nuclei and Nuclear Astrophysics: This research aims to develop a comprehensive picture of nuclei, their properties, and their cosmic origins. Experiments investigate the limits of nuclear existence, the nature of neutron stars, and the origin of simple, collective patterns in complex nuclei. A major focus is using rare isotope beams at facilities like the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) to discover new nuclear phenomena and measure the nuclear reactions that power stars and create the elements in the cosmos.

Fundamental Symmetries and Neutrinos: This thrust uses the nucleus as a pristine laboratory to test the Standard Model and search for new physics. Experiments address profound questions, such as the nature of the neutrino and its mass, and the origin of the matter-antimatter asymmetry in the universe. This is pursued through precision measurements, including studies of neutrinoless double-beta decay and experiments with cold neutrons.

Underpinning all experimental areas is the Nuclear Data subprogram. It supports the U.S. Nuclear Data Program (USNDP), which collects, evaluates, and disseminates essential nuclear data for basic research and applied science, ensuring the quality and accessibility of information gathered over decades of research.

(e) Advanced Detector Technology Research & Development in High Energy and Nuclear Physics

This priority area supports the development of the next generation of particle detectors, which are essential for making new discoveries across all scientific frontiers and thrusts of HENP. The focus is on innovative concepts and emerging technologies that are substantially beyond the current state-of-the-art; proposals for incremental improvements or characterizations of existing systems are of less importance.

Research topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Low-mass, high-channel-density tracking detectors.
  • High-resolution, fast-readout calorimeters and particle identification systems.
  • Advanced electronics, data acquisition (DAQ) systems, and real-time data processing.
  • Techniques for improving the radiation tolerance of detector components.
  • Advanced training in critical areas such as cryogenic engineering and the use of low-radioactivity materials for detectors.

A significant driver for new detector technology is the future Electron-Ion Collider (EIC). The ambitious physics goals of the EIC require major advancements in detector capabilities to fully capitalize on the machine's potential. Applicants are encouraged to review the specific detector requirements and R&D needs detailed on the EIC website (https://www.bnl.gov/eic/).

(f) Advanced Accelerator Technology Research & Development in High Energy and Nuclear Physics

This priority area supports the development of next-generation particle accelerators and related technologies that enable discovery science for HENP and find applications in industry, medicine, and other fields. This includes world-leading research in beam physics and exploratory R&D for new accelerator concepts.
Key research topics include, but are not limited to:

  • Analytic and computational techniques for modeling and simulating particle beams and accelerator systems.
  • Novel acceleration concepts (e.g., plasma wakefield, advanced proton and ion sources).
  • The science of high gradients in accelerating structures and high-power radio frequency (RF) systems.
  • Development of high-field superconducting magnets, materials, and associated cryogenic systems.
  • High-brightness beam sources and advanced beam instrumentation.

This R&D supports the full range of HENP facilities, from the energy and intensity frontiers of HEP to the flagship accelerators for NP, including CEBAF, FRIB, and the future EIC.
Given the critical mission need for workforce development in this area, applications are strongly encouraged that address advanced training in:

  • Physics of large accelerator and systems engineering.
  • Superconducting radiofrequency (SRF) accelerator physics and engineering.
  • Radiofrequency (RF) power system engineering.
  • Cryogenic systems engineering (especially liquid helium systems).

EXCLUSIONS: HENP does NOT support investigations into the development of nuclear reactors for purposes outside the scope of the HENP priority areas described above.

 VII. Isotope R&D and Production (IRP)

The mission of the Office of Isotope R&D and Production (IRP), commonly referred to as the DOE Isotope Program, is to ensure American dominance in isotope production through a multi-faceted strategy that includes securing a reliable domestic supply, fortifying critical infrastructure, achieving U.S. science supremacy, and ensuring American isotope independence. Part of that mission is accomplished through the production and/or distribution of stable isotopes and radioisotopes in short supply or that are otherwise unavailable in the U.S., including related isotope services; maintaining mission readiness of critical national infrastructure and core competencies needed to manufacture isotopes and ensure national preparedness to respond to supply chain gaps during a national crisis; conducting R&D to develop transformative isotope production, separation, and enrichment technologies to enable federal, academic, and industrial innovation, research, and emerging technologies; and nurturing a domestic workforce with unique and world-leading core competencies. The IRP relies on expertise across numerous technical disciplines to accomplish its mission, including nuclear and radiochemistry, nuclear physics, accelerator and reactor science, materials science and engineering, separations science, nuclear data, and others. The IRP utilizes domestic facilities and capabilities throughout the national laboratory complex and at domestic universities for the production and distribution of stable and radioactive isotopes to promote a reliable, domestic supply of isotopes to research, federal, and commercial entities. Facilities utilized by the IRP include particle accelerators, nuclear research reactors, enrichment technologies, and radiochemical processing capabilities throughout the national laboratory complex and at universities. Isotope production capabilities are located at Argonne National Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Savannah River National Laboratory, Michigan State University, Texas A&M University, University of Alabama-Birmingham, University of Missouri, University of Washington, and University of Wisconsin-Madison.

While not an exhaustive list, three broad basic, fundamental, and use-inspired research topics of interest to the IRP R&D portfolio are listed below. The topics seek basic research supporting the development of advanced, cost-effective, and efficient technologies for producing, processing (including isotopic separations, and the development of biological tracers), extracting, recycling, and distributing isotopes in short supply as well as aspects related to stable isotopes. Workforce development is viewed as an essential component of the Program’s R&D portfolio. Excluded from this call are applications related to the production of Mo-99 and Pu-238, as these isotopes are under the purview of the National Nuclear Security Administration Office of Materials Management and Minimization and the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy, respectively. A primary document that has guided IRP priorities is entitled “Meeting Isotope Needs and Capturing Opportunities for the Future: The 2015 Long Range Plan for the DOE-NP Isotope Program.” This document may be accessed at:https://science.osti.gov/~/media/np/nsac/pdf/docs/2015/2015_NSACI_Report_to_NSAC_Final.pdf. Additional information about the IRP may be found at: https://science.osti.gov/Isotope-Research-Development-and-Production.

The IRP’s priority research areas for SCGSR program include:

(a) Targetry and Isotope Production Research

Applications to this topic should be focused on novel or improved capabilities for inducing transmutation of atoms in targets to create radioisotopes that strongly align with the IRP mission space. This includes aspects of targetry and target fabrication in a variety of form factors and batch sizes (e.g., milligrams to kilograms), low-loss advanced manufacturing techniques, as well as the development of innovative approaches, including integration of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI and ML) techniques to model and predict the purity and processing of stable isotope products as well as the behavior of targets undergoing irradiation to optimize yield and minimize target failures during routine isotope production. It is understood that accelerator- and reactor-based isotope production have different considerations. Applications Submissions to this topic can address either production modality. Robotics and advanced manufacturing techniques, as they apply to isotope production and processing, may also be proposed. Studies aimed at the development of automated techniques to enhance the efficiency and safety of materials processing are also encouraged. Uses of AI or ML might include, but are not limited to: multi-physics modeling, and advanced manufacturing.

(b) Nuclear and Radiochemical Separation, Purification, and Radiochemical Synthesis

Work in this topic is broadly applicable to basic research supporting the improvement and/or development of novel chemical and physical processes to recover and purify radioisotopes from multiple sources activated targets or further refinement and purification of stable isotope feedstocks and final products. Applications proposing scopes of work dealing with isotopes resulting from activated targets along with those not necessarily resulting from direct transmutation of target material (e.g., the recovery and purification of radioisotopes from legacy materials, facility components, used nuclear fuel, or waste streams/effluents of other processing efforts) are also considered responsive. Scopes of work should be strongly aligned with IRP mission space.

Additionally, basic research supporting the development or synthesis of chemical constructs or processes with physical or chemical properties that make them particularly useful in the isotope science landscape (e.g., the synthesis and development of novel chelating agents selective ion trapping ligands, chromatography resins, other novel separation technologies, or methods leading to increased fluoride to oxide conversion efficiencies for enriched solid or gaseous feedstocks) or other ligands) are programmatically very relevant. Development of automated production and processing techniques to enhance the efficiency and safety of radioisotope production and processing (including uses of AI or ML and advanced manufacturing) are also encouraged. It is important to note that the development of purification and separation techniques may, but do not have to, include the handling of radioactive materials or irradiation of targets (e.g., experiments based on surrogate material are acceptable). 

(c) Biological Tracers, Imaging, and Therapeutics

Scopes of work proposed in response to this topic should be focused on the development of isotopes that might be useful, such as biological tracers, imaging and/or therapeutic agents. The development or modification of chemical constructs which have physical or chemical properties that make them particularly useful with isotopes in this category would also be considered responsive. Included in this topic are the modification of existing agents, synthesis and development of novel ligands, pharmacokinetic modifying linkers, or other hydrodynamic volume altering compounds. Please note that IRP funds only basic science R&D. Studies investigating the applications of isotopes will not be considered for funding.