Funding for the next round of Fusion Innovation Research Engine (FIRE) Collaboratives and the Innovation Network for Fusion Energy (INFUSE) awards will enhance connections between private fusion industry, DOE national labs, and universities
WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced $134 million in funding for two programs designed to secure U.S. leadership in emerging fusion technologies and innovation. These investments are part of DOE’s broader mission to unleash American energy, science, and innovation, ensuring the technologies that define the future of fusion power are developed here in the United States.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, DOE is unleashing the next frontier of American energy,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “Fusion power holds the promise of limitless, reliable, American-made energy—and programs like INFUSE and FIRE ensure our innovators have the tools, talent, and partnerships to make it a reality.”
DOE is announcing $128 million for the Fusion Innovative Research Engine (FIRE) collaboratives. The funding was awarded to seven teams that are focused on creating a fusion energy science and technology innovation ecosystem by forming virtual, centrally managed teams. The teams selected have a collective goal of bridging the DOE Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) program’s basic science research programs and growing fusion industries.
DOE is also announcing $6.1 million in funding for the Innovation Network for Fusion Energy (INFUSE) program. With this funding, DOE has selected 20 projects that accelerate private-sector fusion energy development by reducing barriers to collaboration between businesses and national laboratories or universities. The projects selected include research in materials science, laser technology development, high temperature superconducting magnet assessment, artificial intelligence (AI) learning for fusion modeling and simulation, and enabling technologies to move toward achieving economical fusion energy.
Fusion has the potential to provide abundant, reliable energy by replicating the same process that powers the sun and stars. Following the passage of the Energy Act of 2020, FES has sought to accelerate the viability of commercial fusion energy in partnership with the private sector by establishing several industry-relevant programs like INFUSE and the FIRE Collaboratives.
These initiatives represent a significant step forward in advancing fusion energy research, maintaining U.S. leadership in fusion, strengthening U.S. based manufacturing and supply chains and supporting the development of technologies crucial for national security, energy security, and defense. In accordance with President Trump’s recent executive order Unleashing American Energy, these selections advance domestic fusion production and expand collaboration across the growing American fusion industry.
A full list of projects and additional information can be found on the Fusion Energy Sciences program homepage.
Background on INFUSE:
INFUSE solicited proposals from the fusion industry and selected projects for one-year awards. The selected projects ranging between $100,000 and $500,000 each were selected through a competitive peer review process managed by the INFUSE leadership team at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. Following competitive peer-review, the Department of Energy selected the INFUSE teams for award.
Background on FIRE:
DOE expects to invest up to $220 million in total funding for the FIRE Collaboratives spanning over four years in duration, with $31 million in Fiscal Year 2025 dollars and outyear funding remains contingent on congressional appropriations.
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.
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