The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $134 million in funding to support two programs aimed at advancing fusion energy research and development in the United States. The investment is part of DOE’s ongoing efforts to promote American leadership in fusion technologies by strengthening connections between private industry, national laboratories, and universities.
According to DOE Secretary Chris Wright, “Under President Trump’s leadership, DOE is unleashing the next frontier of American energy. 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.”
Of the total funds announced, $128 million will go toward the Fusion Innovative Research Engine (FIRE) Collaboratives. This initiative brings together seven teams focused on creating an innovation ecosystem for fusion energy science and technology. These virtual teams are tasked with bridging basic science research from DOE’s Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) program with developments in the growing fusion industry.
An additional $6.1 million has been allocated to the Innovation Network for Fusion Energy (INFUSE) program. This funding supports 20 projects that aim to accelerate private-sector fusion energy development by reducing barriers to collaboration among businesses, national labs, and universities. Selected projects cover areas such as materials science, laser technology development, high temperature superconducting magnet assessment, artificial intelligence applications for fusion modeling and simulation, and other enabling technologies necessary for economical fusion energy.
Fusion energy replicates the process that powers stars like the sun and has long been seen as a potential source of abundant and reliable power. Since passage of the Energy Act of 2020, FES has worked with private partners through programs such as INFUSE and FIRE Collaboratives to move closer to commercial viability for fusion power.
DOE officials say these initiatives are important steps toward maintaining U.S. leadership in fusion research while supporting domestic manufacturing supply chains and contributing to national security goals. The announcement aligns with President Trump’s executive order on Unleashing American Energy by advancing domestic production capabilities and fostering broader collaboration within America’s expanding fusion sector.
Details about all funded projects can be found on the Fusion Energy Sciences program homepage.
For INFUSE awards, proposals were solicited from industry participants for one-year grants ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 each. Selection was made through a competitive peer review managed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory.
The FIRE Collaboratives may receive up to $220 million over four years if congressional appropriations continue as planned; this includes $31 million budgeted for Fiscal Year 2025.
DOE notes that selection for award negotiations does not guarantee funding or final awards; negotiations must be completed before funds are distributed.
