The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science today announced $8.5 million in fiscal year 2026 funding for 28 awards through the Innovation Network for Fusion Energy (INFUSE) program. These awards partner U.S. private fusion companies with DOE National Laboratories and universities to address critical scientific and technological challenges on the path toward commercial fusion energy.  

Prior to today’s announcement, the INFUSE program management team opened the FY 2027 Request for Assistance (RFA), introducing expanded eligibility for consortia and a new review topic for fusion pilot plant preconceptual designs.  

“The race to commercial fusion will not be won in isolation. It demands a seamless partnership between the pioneering intellect of our National Labs and universities and the speed and daring of private capital,” said DOE Under Secretary for Science Darío Gil. “Every challenge we solve through INFUSE brings us one step closer to an era of energy abundance that will transform our economy, revitalize manufacturing, and secure American leadership for generations.” 

INFUSE accelerates commercial fusion energy development through public-private collaborations that support foundational research and innovative technologies, helping unlock fusion’s potential to provide abundant, reliable, domestic energy. These efforts align with the Fusion Science & Technology (S&T) roadmap, which outlines a clear path for addressing critical S&T challenges through public-private partnerships. 

The 28 selected projects include 17 led by National Laboratories and 11 led by universities, with partnerships involving 22 distinct commercial enterprises. These projects will advance research in modeling and simulation, materials science, plasma diagnostic development, and enabling technologies to bring the United States closer to achieving economically viable fusion energy.  

The INFUSE program solicited proposals from the fusion industry and selected projects for one- or two-year awards, with total funding of $8.5 million and individual project budgets ranging from $100,000 to $500,000. Projects were selected through a competitive peer review process managed by the INFUSE leadership team at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Find the full list of projects on www.science.osti.gov.  

Selection for award negotiations is not a commitment by DOE to issue an award or provide funding. Before funding is issued, DOE and the applicants will undergo a negotiation process, and DOE may cancel negotiations and rescind the selection for any reason during that time.