FES Continuation Solicitation
Supports fusion, plasma, and high-energy-density research partnerships blending public and private work.
FOA DE-FOA-0003600, the FY2026 Continuation of Solicitation for the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program, provides an open-window funding mechanism running from September 30, 2025 through September 30, 2026 across all DOE Office of Science program offices, including Fusion Energy Sciences (FES). Within the FES portfolio, the continuation solicitation supports research in AI and machine learning applied to fusion science, high-energy-density (HED) physics, plasma science, and public-private partnership development. The open-window format means qualified applicants can submit proposals at any time before the September 30, 2026 close date without waiting for a fixed deadline cycle. Pre-applications are optional for most FES panels but may be required by specific review panels; applicants should contact sc.fes@science.doe.gov to confirm requirements before investing in a full application.
Eligible applicants include U.S. universities, national laboratories, nonprofits, and for-profit companies. Individuals may not apply directly. Award amounts and cost-share requirements are specified in the full FOA document (DE-FOA-0003600-000001), which was not captured at ingest. The FES program office is located at SC-34/Germantown Building, Washington, DC 20585; program contact is sc.fes@science.doe.gov, (301) 903-4941. FES maintains three major experimental facilities relevant to continuation proposals: DIII-D (operated by General Atomics), NSTX-U at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, and U.S. contributions to the international ITER project.
The continuation solicitation is the most flexible entry point into DOE FES funding for researchers with mature project concepts that align with established FES research subprograms. Applicants in AI/ML for fusion plasma control, materials science for fusion reactor components, diagnostic development, and paths to commercialization should consider the continuation FOA if they missed other FY2026 deadlines. Proposals referencing FESAC strategic priorities and DOE's decadal fusion strategy will be best aligned with review panel expectations.
Open-window FY2026 funding across all DOE Office of Science FES research areas, including AI and machine learning for fusion, high-energy-density physics, and public-private partnerships.
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