Energy Department Awards $36 Million to Strengthen Energy Research Across 21 States and Puerto Rico

WASHINGTON-The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the selection of 38 research projects in 21 states and Puerto Rico to receive a combined $36 million through the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR). Today's announcement advances President Trump's Executive Order Restoring Gold Standard Science by empowering the next generation of American researchers in historically underfunded regions to pursue groundbreaking discoveries in areas critical to U.S. scientific and technological leadership.

"Every region of this country has a vital role to play in maintaining America's global leadership in energy and innovation," said DOE Under Secretary for Science Dr. Darío Gil. "By supporting talented researchers in historically underfunded areas, we are broadening our scientific pipeline, expanding hands-on opportunities for the next generation of scientists and engineers, and delivering real energy solutions for the entire country."

Researchers at universities in EPSCoR states will partner with researchers at DOE National Laboratories on four-year projects to advance fundamental research and accelerate scientific discovery in areas of national importance, including chemistry and materials science, fusion energy, nuclear energy, battery technologies, particle physics, and other fields. EPSCoR also expands the geographic reach of competitive, energy-relevant research, helping drive scientific discoveries that support America's energy future.

Projects were selected through competitive peer review under a DOE Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Building EPSCoR-State/National Laboratory Partnerships. The EPSCoR program is managed by DOE's Office of Science through the Basic Energy Sciences (BES) program.

The list of awards and additional information can be found at science.osti.gov/funding-opportunities/award.

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.