Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program
Funds fusion companies through staged milestones toward commercial pilot development.
The Milestone-Based Fusion Development Program is DOE Fusion Energy Sciences' direct route for private fusion developers building toward commercial pilot plants. It uses staged Technology Investment Agreements and was launched in 2022, with the first formal agreements finalized in 2024. The program supports U.S.-led for-profit teams, while national laboratories and universities can join as partners. The structured record places the largest single award at $19.5 million, the first cohort at $46 million across its opening performance period, and the 2025 expansion at $10 million for new awardees plus $15 million for capability upgrades. This is a milestone-driven commercialization program, not an open academic grant line. The strongest applicants are companies that can work through quantitative technical gates, manage a long development plan, and keep a pilot-plant path clear enough for DOE review. The available record places the program between cycles, with no confirmed FY2026 solicitation listed. It is a U.S.-only route for companies that can sustain a long technical review process.
Each grant below is a distinct funding opportunity with its own eligibility, scope, and deliverables.
Helps research teams and institutions for Milestone Based Fusion Development Expansion in energy systems and fusion research.
Supports private fusion teams through milestone-based programs advancing through development gates.