DE-FOA-0003673.pdf

Financial Assistance Notice of Funding Opportunity

Part 1

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science (SC) Genesis Mission Graduate Fellowship Pilot Notice of Funding Opportunity Number: DE-FOA-0003673 Pre-application / Letter of Intent Due: November 9, 2026, 5:00 PM ET Pre-application Response Date: November 23, 2026 Application Due: January 12, 2027, 11:59 PM ET

Table of Contents

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Navigating the Notice of Funding Opportunity

I. BASIC INFORMATION

A. Key Facts

1. Funding Details

2. Period of Performance

B. Executive Summary C. Agency Contact Information

II. ELIGIBILITY

A. Eligible Applicants

1. DOE/NNSA National Laboratories

2. Non-DOE/NNSA FFRDCs

3. Other Federal Agencies

4. Ineligible Participants

B. Other Eligibility Requirements and Limitations C. Cost Sharing

III. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

A. Background and Context B. Program Goals, Objectives, and Priorities C. Expected Performance Goals D. Applications Specifically Not of Interest E. Statutory Authority F. Program History

IV. APPLICATION CONTENT AND FORM

A. Preliminary Submissions

1. Letter of Intent

2. Pre-application

B. Application C. Component Pieces of the Application

1. SF-424 (R&R)

2. Research and Related Other Project Information

3. Research and Related Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded)

4. Research And Related Budget

Version 4.1 Page 3 of 40

5. R&R Subaward Budget Attachment(s) Form

6. Project/Performance Site Location(s)

7. Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL)

8. Identification of Merit Reviewer Conflicts

9. Summary of Required Forms/Files

D. Information that Must be Submitted After Application but Before Award E. Use and Disclosure of Application Information

V. SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

A. Address to Request Application Package B. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM.gov)

1. Requirement for System for Award Management

2. Requirement for Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)

C. Submission Instructions D. Submission Dates and Times

1. Letter of Intent Due Date

2. Pre-application Due Date

3. Application Due Date

4. Late Submissions

E. Intergovernmental Review

VI. APPLICATION REVIEW INFORMATION

A. Standards for Application Evaluation B. Responsiveness Review C. Review Criteria

1. Compliance Criteria

2. Technical Review Criteria

D. Review and Selection Process E. Other Selection Factors

VII. SELECTION AND AWARD NOTICES

VIII. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

A. Post-Award Requirements and Administration

1. Government Rights in Data

IX. OTHER INFORMATION

Version 4.1 Page 4 of 40

Notice of Funding Opportunity, Part 1

Before You Begin Navigating the Notice of Funding Opportunity

To reduce the burden on applicants in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process and limit the length of the NOFO information requests, we separated the NOFO into two parts.

The NOFO Part 1 describes the DOE program goals and evaluation criteria, eligibility, and other components specific to each funding opportunity. NOFO Part 2 includes the fixed DOE requirements that generally do not change from NOFO to NOFO, including standard information for the application phase, expectations for award negotiations, and post-award requirements. You must review both parts before applying. To assist you in the process, you will find references throughout this document to additional information in Part 2.

You must also take several one-time actions before applying. Some of these actions may take several weeks, so be sure to allow yourself enough time to complete them. If you don’t complete all required steps, it could interfere with application and negotiation deadlines or your ability to receive an award if selected. If you already completed these one-time registrations, make sure they are active and up to date. All registrations are free. You can find additional information about registration in NOFO Part 2, Get Registered.

Hyperlinks are provided for the applicant’s ease of reference. Links, and the information contained in them, may change over time. It is up to an individual applicant to make sure that they have the current information that is contained in the links.

This announcement is published with NOFO Part 2 Version 4.1, which will be posted with this NOFO at https://Grants.gov, https://pamspublic.science.energy.gov, and https://science.osti.gov/FOAs/Open/.

P86#y

P86#y

P86#y3

P86#y4 P86#y5

P86#y6 https://grants.gov/ https://pamspublic.science.energy.gov/ https://sam.gov/content/help

Version 4.1 Page 5 of 40

I. Basic Information Key Facts

Issuing Agency Department of Energy, Office of Science

Funding Opportunity Title Genesis Mission Graduate Fellowship Pilot

Announcement Version Initial

Funding Opportunity Number DE-FOA-0003673

Funding Instrument Grants and National Laboratory Awards

Expected Total Available Funding

$100 million in current and future fiscal year funds, including $20 million in fiscal year (FY) 2027 funding and $80 million in outyear funding, subject to the availability of future year appropriations

Assistance Listing Number and Name

81.049, Office of Science Financial Assistance Program

Announcement Type Research and Development (R&D)

1. Funding Details

The award size will depend on the number of meritorious applications and the availability of appropriated funds.

• Approximate total available funding: $20,000,000 in FY 2027, $20,000,000 in FY 2028, $20,000,000 in FY 2029, $20,000,000 FY 2030, $20,000,000 in FY 2031

• Approximate number of awards: 4–8

• Approximate dollar amount of individual awards: $12–25 million

• Approximate award project period: 60 months

• Anticipated length of budget periods: 12 months

2. Period of Performance

We anticipate making awards with a project period of five years.

Continuation funding (funding for the second and subsequent budget periods) is contingent on availability of funds appropriated by Congress and future year budget authority, progress towards meeting the objectives of the approved application, submission of required reports, and compliance with the terms and conditions of the award.

KEY DATES

All deadlines are 5:00 p.m.

ET unless indicated otherwise

Notice of Funding Opportunity Issue Date:

October 8, 2026

Letter of Intent Deadline:

November 9, 2026, 5:00

PM ET

Informational Webinar:

November 4, 2026, 4:00

PM ET

Register at https://science-doe.zoomgov.com/webin ar/register/WN_tVM2Iw eSRDWZlqeeynY6FA

Application Deadline:

January 12, 2027, 11:59

PM ET

https://science-doe.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_tVM2IweSRDWZlqeeynY6FA

Version 4.1 Page 6 of 40

Executive Summary

American scientists and engineers will power the super intelligence (SI) revolution in science and innovation through the Genesis Mission. DOE SC hereby invites applications from United States (U.S.) Institutions of Higher Education and domestic doctoral-granting institutions to develop and demonstrate the effectiveness of novel four-year doctoral training pilots with dual competency in SI and another scientific discipline. Two high-impact research experiences are required as part of the pilot, one at a DOE National Laboratory or SC user facility and one in industry. The purpose of this pilot is to lay the foundation for the first cohort of Genesis Mission Graduate Fellows, representing a new generation of Ph.D.-level scientists and engineers with exceptional training in SI and scientific disciplines along with practical research experiences. All graduate fellowships supported by this NOFO must support research activities related to SC-relevant Genesis Mission National Science and Technology Challenges as detailed in the Request for Applications (RFA), DE-FOA-0003612.

Agency Contact Information

Grants.gov Customer Support

800-518-4726 (toll-free) support@Grants.gov

PAMS

Customer Support

855-818-1846 (toll-free) 301-903-9610 PAMS-helpdesk@doe.gov

Program Contact GM-Uni-Engagement@doe.gov for all inquiries.

II. Eligibility

To be considered, your submission must meet the criteria set forth below. If your application does not meet these eligibility requirements, it will be removed from consideration for any award. DOE will not determine eligibility for potential applicants before the application due date. The information in this document is specific to this NOFO. You can find the eligibility requirements that apply to all NOFOs in NOFO Part 2, Eligibility.

Eligible Applicants

In accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 910.126, Competition, eligibility for award is restricted to U.S. Institutions of Higher Education and domestic doctoral-granting institutions as the lead applicant. This restriction on the lead applicant is necessary because only institutions of higher education and doctoral-granting institutions offer doctoral training programs.

Applications may include subawards to institutions of higher education, industry, DOE National Laboratories, and SC user facilities.

mailto:GM-Uni-Engagement@doe.gov https://www.energy.gov/documents/genesis-mission-national-science-technology-challenges?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery https://files.simpler.grants.gov/opportunities/0228b895-9cb3-4160-8acc-58709e75c3c7/attachments/83da5c66-a604-49b6-91e8-86339cefa14e/DE-FOA-0003612.000003.pdf mailto:support@grants.gov mailto:PAMS-helpdesk@doe.gov https://www.grants.gov/

Version 4.1 Page 7 of 40

1. DOE/NNSA National Laboratories1

DOE/ National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) National Laboratories are not eligible to submit applications under this NOFO but may be proposed as subrecipients under another organization’s application. If recommended for funding as a proposed subrecipient, the value of the proposed subaward will be removed from the prime applicant’s award and will be provided to the laboratory through the DOE Field-Work Proposal System and work will be conducted under the laboratory’s contract with DOE. No administrative provisions of this NOFO will apply to the laboratory or any laboratory subcontractor. Additional instructions for securing authorization from the cognizant Contracting Officer are found in Part 2 of this NOFO.

2. Non-DOE/NNSA FFRDCs

Non-DOE/NNSA Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) are neither eligible to submit applications under this NOFO nor to be proposed as subrecipients under another organization’s application.

3. Other Federal Agencies

Other Federal agencies are neither eligible to submit applications under this NOFO nor to be proposed as subrecipients under another organization’s application.

Note for all applicants:

Applications that are submitted by applicants that have not submitted a required Letter of Intent may be declined without further review.

4. Ineligible Participants

The following entities are ineligible for this NOFO as a recipient, subrecipient, or subcontractor:

• In accordance with 2 C.F.R. § 200.214, entities banned from doing business with the U.S.

Government, such as entities debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from or ineligible for participating in Federal programs (2 C.F.R. § 200.214)

• Entities identified on the Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control Treasury’s Sanctions Program Specially Designated Nationals list (OFAC – Sanctions List Service [treas.gov])

• Nonprofit organizations described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995

1 The phrase “National Laboratories” is used broadly to encompass DOE/NNSA laboratories and sites capable of performing the work described in this NOFO and capable of receiving funds through the DOE Field Work System.

https://sanctionslist.ofac.treas.gov/Home/SdnList https://sanctionslist.ofac.treas.gov/Home/SdnList

Version 4.1 Page 8 of 40

Entity of Concern Prohibition

Entities of Concern are prohibited from participating in projects under this NOFO. You can find details and definitions in NOFO Part 2, Eligibility, Other Eligibility Information, Entity of Concern Prohibition.

Other Eligibility Requirements and Limitations

Individuals with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as a Principal Investigator (PI) are invited to work with their organizations to develop an application.

Applications that are submitted by applicants that have not submitted a required LOI may be declined without further review.

Applicant institutions are limited to no more than one letter of intent or application as the lead institution.

Cost Sharing

Cost sharing for basic and fundamental research is not required pursuant to an exclusion from the requirements of Section 988 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Cost sharing is not required of DOE/NNSA National Laboratories, other Federal agencies, another Federal agency’s FFRDC, or their subcontractors at any tier. DOE/NNSA National Laboratories, other Federal agencies, and another Federal agency’s FFRDC may impose cost-sharing requirements on their contractors subject to their policies and procedures.

Cost sharing will not be considered as a factor during merit review or award selection.

You can find more information on cost sharing in NOFO Part 2, Eligibility.

III. Program Description

Background and Context

DOE SC hereby announces the Genesis Mission Graduate Fellowship Pilot to cultivate a highly skilled, AI-ready scientific workforce. Driven by insights from the Genesis Mission Summit and the associated Request for Information, this program addresses the urgent national need for domestic Ph.D.-level scientists and engineers who possess dual competencies in SI and a scientific discipline. By pioneering an accelerated, highly focused four-year doctoral pathway, the Pilot incentivizes U.S. academic institutions to reform traditional graduate education models.

Successful applications will establish pilots that integrate rigorous dual-competency academic coursework with high-impact research experiences at DOE National Laboratories/SC user https://www.energy.gov/undersecretaryforscience/genesis-mission/genesis-mission https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=b5bde57c2d19ede41ee1c38fb97861ba01e0a6b7e8f682b69414ddf037294465JmltdHM9MTc4Nzk2MTYwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=3f60e5e8-0580-6a22-216c-f24304156b22&psq=genesis+mission+summit+pdf&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZW5lcmd5Lmdvdi9zaXRlcy9kZWZhdWx0L2ZpbGVzLzIwMjYtMDcvR2VuZXNpcy1Vbml2ZXJzaXR5LVN1bW1pdC1CcmVha291dC1TdW1tYXJpZXMtUmVwb3J0LnBkZg https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=b5bde57c2d19ede41ee1c38fb97861ba01e0a6b7e8f682b69414ddf037294465JmltdHM9MTc4Nzk2MTYwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=3f60e5e8-0580-6a22-216c-f24304156b22&psq=genesis+mission+summit+pdf&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZW5lcmd5Lmdvdi9zaXRlcy9kZWZhdWx0L2ZpbGVzLzIwMjYtMDcvR2VuZXNpcy1Vbml2ZXJzaXR5LVN1bW1pdC1CcmVha291dC1TdW1tYXJpZXMtUmVwb3J0LnBkZg https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=aac34b037370a726f91137f591513704b009860f42287dbfe36fa36d10a54d28JmltdHM9MTc4Nzk2MTYwMA&ptn=3&ver=2&hsh=4&fclid=3f60e5e8-0580-6a22-216c-f24304156b22&psq=genesis+mission+rfi+pdf&u=a1aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZW5lcmd5Lmdvdi9zaXRlcy9kZWZhdWx0L2ZpbGVzLzIwMjYtMDcvR2VuZXNpcy1NaXNzaW9uLVJGSS1BbmFseXNpcy5wZGY

Version 4.1 Page 9 of 40 facilities and industry partners, producing an initial cohort of approximately 100 Genesis Mission Graduate Fellows in four years.

The Genesis Mission seeks to harness advances in AI, high-performance computing, quantum information science, and DOE’s scientific capabilities to accelerate productivity on Genesis Mission National Science and Technology Challenges. The Fellowship Pilot will support the development of talent needed to advance these efforts by preparing the next generation of domestic scientists and engineers who can integrate cutting edge SI methods with deep domain expertise and apply those skills to advance the SC-relevant challenges of the Genesis Mission.

Award funding will support Fellows through stipends, tuition, and health insurance.

Funding will also cover expenses for two extended (ten weeks or more) research experiences in industry and at DOE National Laboratories or SC user facilities. Funding will also support mentor travel in support of thesis-related work and, when appropriate, mentor time.

Successful Pilots must incorporate the following elements:

Accelerated Four-Year Pathways

Recipient institutions and the host DOE National Laboratories/SC user facilities and industries should clearly demonstrate the ability to deliver individualized, structured coursework and research plans to ensure Fellows complete their doctoral degrees within four years without compromising scientific rigor. The research experiences at DOE National Laboratories/SC user facilities and industries should be well integrated with the Fellow’s thesis project.

The application must include expected outcomes and a management plan to assess progress and effectiveness of the proposed graduate training program. Attention should be given to balancing peer-reviewed publications with emergent high-value contributions:

developing open-source software, creating and curating high-quality datasets, validating AI-driven discovery science, and improving uncertainty quantification. The management plan should address contingencies regarding completion of degree in four years.

Dual-Competency Framework

Many Ph.D.-granting institutions have emerging best practices for aligning AI-focused coursework with tools being deployed at scale within the national research environment. Dual-competency frameworks include advancing SI through science discovery and advancing science discovery through AI. In both cases, academic coursework must seamlessly integrate advanced methodologies with the student’s primary scientific or engineering discipline. Thesis work must have a recognized impact on the SC-relevant Genesis Mission National Science and Technology Challenges as detailed in RFA DE-FOA-0003612. Science and technology disciplines with complex systems, large amounts of data, and a need to constantly test theories against real-world results are well-positioned for a dual-competency framework with SI as a required element.

Coursework and research experiences must also address the ethical implications, safety guardrails, and limitations of SI applications in science and industry.

https://www.energy.gov/documents/genesis-mission-national-science-technology-challenges?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery https://www.energy.gov/documents/genesis-mission-national-science-technology-challenges?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery https://www.energy.gov/documents/genesis-mission-national-science-technology-challenges?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery https://files.simpler.grants.gov/opportunities/0228b895-9cb3-4160-8acc-58709e75c3c7/attachments/83da5c66-a604-49b6-91e8-86339cefa14e/DE-FOA-0003612.000003.pdf

Version 4.1 Page 10 of 40

Structured Research Experiences

Research plans for each Fellow must integrate two high-impact research experiences, one at a DOE National Laboratory or SC user facility, and one in industry. Typical research experiences should be at least ten weeks in duration and directly relate to the thesis project of the Fellow. On-site mentors at the DOE National Laboratories, SC user facilities, or industry partners should be included in the Fellow’s four-year research plan. Access to infrastructure — datasets, specialized instrumentation, exascale computing, computing platforms, and similar state-of-the-art resources — should be addressed in the research plan. Costs associated with the structured research experiences may only be requested for (a) mentors’ time, effort, or travel and

(b) necessary research infrastructure to support the Fellows’ activities. Institutions of higher education should remain the employer of record during structured research experiences. There is no requirement that specific laboratories, facilities, or industrial partners be identified in an application. No specific legal relationship between the applicant and the laboratories, facilities, or industrial partners is required.

Student Financial Support

Budget requests should include comprehensive student expenses: highly competitive stipends, full tuition, and health insurance. The fellowship should include all costs for research-related travel and accommodations, including attendance at conferences and the structured research experiences. Mentors can be supported for activities related to the fellowship but not to supplement currently-funded research efforts. For example, travel support for mentors to co-supervise the Fellow follows best practices.

Domestic Talent Pipeline

In order to achieve the objectives of Executive Order 14363, “Launching The Genesis Mission,” Pilots must ensure that all Fellows are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. No such restrictions apply to PIs, mentors, collaborators, or the classmates of Fellows.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The SC-relevant Genesis Mission National Science and Technology Challenges detailed in RFA DE-FOA-0003612 are:

• 1. Reenvisioning Advanced Manufacturing and Industrial Productivity o 1-A: Agentic AI-Driven Chemical Manufacturing o 1-B: AI-Driven Materials Processing o 1-C: AI-Enabled Manufacturing for Extreme Energy Systems

• 2. Scaling the Biotechnology Revolution2

2 This challenge was split into three challenges in the Genesis Mission National Science and Technology

Challenges: Predicting Living Systems, Scaling Biology for American Industrial Leadership, and Early Detection and Attribution of Biological Threats.

https://www.energy.gov/documents/genesis-mission-national-science-technology-challenges?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery https://files.simpler.grants.gov/opportunities/0228b895-9cb3-4160-8acc-58709e75c3c7/attachments/83da5c66-a604-49b6-91e8-86339cefa14e/DE-FOA-0003612.000003.pdf https://www.energy.gov/documents/genesis-mission-national-science-technology-challenges?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery https://www.energy.gov/documents/genesis-mission-national-science-technology-challenges?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Version 4.1 Page 11 of 40 o 2-A: Biomolecular Science o 2-B: Genotype to Phenotype o 2-C: Predictive Engineering of Microbial Communities o 2-D: Bio Design

• 3. Securing America’s Critical Minerals Supply o 3-E: Geological Finders/Keepers o 3-F: Connections for Isolation o 3-G: Biological Pathways to CMM

• 5. Accelerating Delivery of Fusion Energy o 5-A: Structural Materials o 5-B: Plasma-Facing Materials o 5-C: Advancing Confinement Approaches o 5-D: Fuel Cycle and Tritium Processing o 5-E: Tritium Breeding Blankets o 5-F: Fusion Plant Engineering and System Integration o 5-G: Plasma Science and Technology

• 7. Discovering Quantum Algorithms with AI o 7-A: Application-aware Error Correction o 7-B: Computational Tools for Fault Tolerant Quantum Computational Science o 7-C: Hybrid Quantum-Classical Optimization Algorithms o 7-D: Quantum Algorithms for Nonlinear Plasma Physics o 7-E: Quantum Advantage for Nuclear and Hadronic Systems

• 8. Realizing Quantum Systems for Discovery o 8-A: AI for Quantum Systems Design o 8-B: AI for Control of Quantum System o 8-C: AI for Quantum Imaging and Sensing o 8-D: AI for Quantum Computing and Networking

• 9. Recentering Microelectronics in America o 9-B: Materials and Architectures for Non-von Neuman Computing Devices o 9-C: AI-Driven Architecture Design o 9-D: 3D non-volatile compute-in-memory technology o 9-E: Physics-Based Circuit Design, Simulation, and Emulation o 9-F: Microelectronics in Harsh Environments o 9-G: Plasma-Enabled Microelectronics Manufacturing o 9-H: Power Electronics and Communication Networks o 9-I: Low-temperature Electronics for Sensors and Computation o 9-J: Transform Neuromorphic Computing Connectivity, Communication, and

System Hardware Integration

• 11. Achieving AI-Driven Autonomous Laboratories o 11-A: Advanced Robotics for Dynamic Laboratory Environments o 11-B: AIOps - AI for Network Operations o 11-C: AI-Accelerated Science: Correlation to Understanding o 11-D: AI-Enabled Diagnostics and Remote Handling o 11-E: Accelerate the design and prototyping of neuromorphic computing circuit primitives for robotic embodied physical artificial intelligence

• 12. Designing Materials with Predictable Functionality

Version 4.1 Page 12 of 40 o 12-A: Functional to Quantum Materials o 12-B: Structural Materials o 12-C: Biomolecular Materials o 12-D: Plasma-Facing Materials

• 13. Enhancing Particle Accelerators for Discovery o 13-A: AI-driven Accelerator Facilities o 13-B: Integration of Digital Twins for Fusion Systems and Actuators

• 14. Unifying Physics from Quarks to the Cosmos o 14-A: Foundation Models of Particle Interactions and Cosmic Physics o 14-B: AI Accelerated DUNE Science o 14-C: Expedited Discovery from High Complexity and Petabyte-Scale

Datasets

• 15. Predicting U.S. Water for Energy o 15-A: Cloud Microphysics and Atmospheric Turbulence o 15-B: Water and Energy o 15-C: Weeks to Years Prediction

• 16. Scaling the Grid to Power the American Economy o 16-A: Grid Modeling and Analysis o 16-B: Grid Operations Optimization o 16-C: Uncertainty Quantification

• 17. Unleashing Subsurface Strategic Energy Assets o 17-A: Chemical and Hydrologic Transport in Subsurface o 17-B: Evolution of Fractures in the Upper Crust

• 18. HPC Code Curation, Translation, and Development for Accelerated Scientific Discoveries o 18-A: AI-Driven Code Porting and Optimization o 18-B: Automated Scientific Problem-to-Code Generation o 18-C: Neuro-Symbolic Agents for Code Development o 18-D: Performance Prediction and Feedback Loops o 18-E: Trustworthy AI for Scientific Software o 18-F: Multi-Modal Data Integration for Code Intelligence o 18-G: Partnerships for HPC AI Advancement

• 19. AI for Scientific Reasoning o 19-A: Trustworthy Mathematical and Symbolic Reasoning o 19-B: Hypothesis Generation from Multi-Modal Data o 19-C: Composable and Modular Foundation Models

• 20. Cybersecurity for AI-driven Science Workflows o 20-A: AI for Adversarial Robustness and Resilience o 20-B: Data Provenance and Integrity Verification o 20-C: Real-Time Attack Detection and Mitigation for AI Models

• 21. Artificial Intelligence in Fluid Flow for Energy Components and Technologies o 21-A: Physics-Informed AI for Complex Flow Modeling o 21-B: AI-Driven Design and Control for Performance and Durability

Version 4.1 Page 13 of 40

Many Federal agencies have a vested interest in the success of training domestic talent for the Genesis Mission. In addition to SC, stakeholders include other DOE offices, the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the Department of Homeland Security, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, among others. Applications submitted to this NOFO may be shared with stakeholders beyond DOE.

1. OTHER PROGRAMMATIC GUIDANCE

Multi-Institutional Teams

A single application can span different Departments or Colleges at that institution. It is also allowable for Ph.D.-granting institutions to collaborate on an application in a prime/subaward relationship.

DOE National Laboratories, SC user facilities, and industry hosts for research experiences are not required to be proposed as subawards in the lead institution’s application.

These institutions are not required to be identified at time of application, and they may not be receiving funding in the application.

SC uses two different mechanisms to support teams of multiple institutions:

Collaborative Applications

Collaborative applications (in which each team member submits their own application with a common Project Narrative) will not be accepted under this NOFO.

Subawards3

Multi-institutional teams must submit one application from a designated lead institution with all other team members proposed as subrecipients.

DOE/NNSA National Laboratories and sites may be proposed as subrecipients.

The value of any such proposed subaward may be removed from any such prime award:

DOE may make separate awards to Federally affiliated institutions.

Subawards must directly support the doctoral training of the Genesis Mission Graduate

Fellows.

Open Science

3 Subawards are made to subrecipients. Both terms are defined in 2 C.F.R. § 200.1.

(https://www.ecfr.gov) https://www.ecfr.gov/

Version 4.1 Page 14 of 40

SC is dedicated to promoting the values of openness in Federally supported scientific research, including, but not limited to, ensuring that research can be reproduced and that the results of Federally supported research are made available to other researchers. These objectives can be met through any number of mechanisms including, but not limited to, data access plans, data sharing agreements, the use of archives and repositories, and the use of various licensing schemes.

The use of the phrase open-source does not refer to any particular licensing arrangement but is to be understood as encompassing any arrangement that furthers the objective of openness.

Export Control, Nonproliferation, Sanction, and Other Protocols

All entities submitting applications to this NOFO must recognize the moral and legal obligations to comply with export controls and policies that limit the transfer of technologies with potential dual use. Applicants are reminded that international activities must comply with nonproliferation, sanction, and other protocols described at https://www.trade.gov/export-solutions.

International activities related to special nuclear materials (SNM) are subject to additional requirements. Please see 10 C.F.R. part 810 for further information.

All work proposed under this NOFO must be for basic and fundamental research whose results may be published in scholarly literature. Do not submit applications containing restricted data or unclassified controlled nuclear information as defined in the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 2011, et seq., 10 C.F.R. part 1017, 10 C.F.R. part 1045.

Program Goals, Objectives, and Priorities

SC’s mission is to deliver scientific discoveries and major scientific tools to transform our understanding of nature and advance the energy, economic, and national security of the U.S.

SC is the Nation’s largest Federal sponsor of basic research in the physical sciences and the lead Federal agency supporting fundamental scientific research for our Nation’s energy future.

SC accomplishes its mission and advances national goals by supporting:

• The frontiers of science — exploring nature’s mysteries from the study of fundamental subatomic particles, atoms, and molecules that are the building blocks of the materials of our universe and everything in it to the DNA, proteins, and cells that are the building blocks of life. Each of the programs in SC supports research probing the most fundamental disciplinary questions.

• The 21st Century tools of science — providing the Nation’s researchers with 27 state-of-the-art national scientific user facilities, the most advanced tools of modern science, propelling the U.S. to the forefront of science, technology development, and deployment through innovation.

http://energy.gov/node/4852619 http://energy.gov/node/4852619

Version 4.1 Page 15 of 40

• Science for energy and the environment ― paving the knowledge foundation to spur discoveries and innovations for advancing DOE’s mission in energy and environment.

SC supports a wide range of funding modalities, from single principal investigators to large team-based activities, to engage in fundamental research on energy production, conversion, storage, transmission, and use and on our understanding of the earth systems.

SC is an established leader of the U.S. scientific discovery and innovation enterprise.

Over the decades, SC investments and accomplishments in basic research and enabling research capabilities have provided the foundations for new technologies, businesses, and industries, making significant contributions to our Nation’s economy, national security, and quality of life.

Expected Performance Goals

You will be expected to demonstrate progress in both the training and research activities of the pilot in periodic progress reports. Applicants are expected to recruit Fellows and begin their four-year degree program within one year of award.

Applications Specifically Not of Interest

DOE will not review or consider the following types of applications as determined by

DOE without appeal (also refer to the Responsiveness Review section below):

• Applications that fall outside the technical parameters specified in Background and

Context.

• Applications focused solely on curriculum development.

• Applications that are not based on sound scientific principles (e.g., violates the laws of thermodynamics).

• Applications lacking proposed research activities with a recognized impact on the SC-relevant Genesis Mission National Science and Technology Challenges as detailed in

RFA DE-FOA-0003612.

Statutory Authority

The programmatic authorizing statutes and governing regulations are:

• U.S. Department of Energy Organization Act, codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. § 7256 (2020)

• One Big Beautiful Bill Act of Jul. 4, 2025, Pub. L. No. 119-21, § 50404, 139 Stat. 72 (2025)

• Energy Policy Act of 2005, Pub. L. No. 109-58, §§ 901, 911, 965, 119 Stat. 594 (2005)

• CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, Pub. L. No. 117-167, § 10731, 136 Stat. 1366 (2022)

• National Quantum Initiative Act, Pub. L. No. 115-368, § 401, 132 Stat. 5100, 5105

(2018)

• Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for

Federal Awards, codified at 2 C.F.R. part 200 (2024) https://www.energy.gov/documents/genesis-mission-national-science-technology-challenges?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery https://files.simpler.grants.gov/opportunities/0228b895-9cb3-4160-8acc-58709e75c3c7/attachments/83da5c66-a604-49b6-91e8-86339cefa14e/DE-FOA-0003612.000003.pdf

Version 4.1 Page 16 of 40

• U.S. Department of Energy Financial Assistance Rules, codified at 2 C.F.R. part 910 (2022)

• U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science Financial Assistance Program Rule, codified at 10 C.F.R. part 605 (2014)

Program History

You can learn about SC’s history, achievements, and awards in the following resources:

• History

• Achievements

• Awards

IV. Application Content and Form

This section includes application information specific to this NOFO. Refer to NOFO Part 2, Application Content and Form, for standard information that applies to all DOE NOFOs, such as formatting and content requirements and other requirements.

A. Preliminary Submissions

1. Letter of Intent

Letter of Intent Due Date

A Letter of Intent (LOI) is required and must be submitted by the date indicated on the cover of this NOFO.

Response Date

The response date is printed on the cover of this NOFO. Applicants who have not received a response regarding the status of their LOI by this date are responsible for contacting GM-Uni-Engagement@doe.gov to confirm this status.

The LOI helps plan the review, including the selection of potential reviewers for the application.

The LOI must begin with a title page that will not count toward the LOI page limitation.

The title page must include the following information:

• The project title

• Principal Investigator (PI) Name, Job Title

• Lead Institution

• PI Phone Number, PI Email Address https://science.osti.gov/About/History https://science.osti.gov/Science-Features/Science-Highlights http://energy.gov/gc/standard-intellectual-property-ip-provisions-financial-assistance-awards https://www.fedconnect.net/

Version 4.1 Page 17 of 40

• NOFO Number: Include the NOFO number printed on the cover of this NOFO

• The primary challenge area as identified in Section III of The Genesis Mission:

Transforming Science and Energy with AI Notice of Request for Application (RFA) Number: DE-FOA-0003612: [For example, 1 - Reenvisioning Advanced Manufacturing and Industrial Productivity]

• [Optional]: One or more secondary challenge areas identified in Section III of The Genesis Mission: Transforming Science and Energy with AI Notice of Request for Application (RFA) Number: DE-FOA-0003612: [For example, 7 - Discovering Quantum Algorithms with AI; 12 - Designing Materials with Predictable Functionality; 18 - HPC Code Curation, Translation, and Development for Accelerated Scientific Discoveries]

• Include a list of all senior/key personnel at the applicant and subaward institutions

The title page must be followed by a clear and concise description of the objectives and technical approach of the proposed pilot, including both curriculum development and Genesis Mission research. A high-level description of the cost, schedule, and major milestones of the pilot should be included.

The description of the proposed pilot may not exceed two pages, when printed using standard letter-size (8.5-inch x 11-inch) paper with 1-inch margins (top, bottom, left, and right).

The body text font must not be smaller than 11 point. Figures and references, if included, must fit within the two-page limit.

In addition, the LOI must include a list of individuals who should not serve as merit reviewers of a subsequent application. Detailed instructions for how to craft the required list are provided in Part 2 of this NOFO. Note that the list of individuals who should not serve as merit reviewers is rarely empty because the instructions contain mandatory inclusions requirements. This list will not count toward the LOI’s page limit. The list of individuals must be included as an “Additional Attachment” to your LOI in PAMS.

The LOI must be machine-readable. Do not submit a scanned image of a printed document.

LOI Review

Encouraged LOIs will be used to help SC begin planning for the application peer review process. SC’s intent in discouraging submission of certain applications is to save the time and effort of applicants in preparing and submitting applications not responsive to this NOFO.

The PI will be automatically notified when the LOI is encouraged or discouraged. The DOE SC Portfolio Analysis and Management System (PAMS) will send an email to the PI from PAMS.Autoreply@science.doe.gov, and the status of the LOI will be updated at the PAMS website. Notifications are sent as soon as the decisions to encourage or discourage are finalized.

LOI Submission https://files.simpler.grants.gov/opportunities/0228b895-9cb3-4160-8acc-58709e75c3c7/attachments/83da5c66-a604-49b6-91e8-86339cefa14e/DE-FOA-0003612.000003.pdf https://files.simpler.grants.gov/opportunities/0228b895-9cb3-4160-8acc-58709e75c3c7/attachments/83da5c66-a604-49b6-91e8-86339cefa14e/DE-FOA-0003612.000003.pdf https://files.simpler.grants.gov/opportunities/0228b895-9cb3-4160-8acc-58709e75c3c7/attachments/83da5c66-a604-49b6-91e8-86339cefa14e/DE-FOA-0003612.000003.pdf https://files.simpler.grants.gov/opportunities/0228b895-9cb3-4160-8acc-58709e75c3c7/attachments/83da5c66-a604-49b6-91e8-86339cefa14e/DE-FOA-0003612.000003.pdf https://files.simpler.grants.gov/opportunities/0228b895-9cb3-4160-8acc-58709e75c3c7/attachments/83da5c66-a604-49b6-91e8-86339cefa14e/DE-FOA-0003612.000003.pdf https://files.simpler.grants.gov/opportunities/0228b895-9cb3-4160-8acc-58709e75c3c7/attachments/83da5c66-a604-49b6-91e8-86339cefa14e/DE-FOA-0003612.000003.pdf mailto:PAMS.Autoreply@science.doe.gov

Version 4.1 Page 18 of 40

LOIs are created in the software system of your choice and must be submitted electronically through the PAMS website. You cannot draft or edit an LOI in PAMS. Do not submit an LOI through FedConnect or Grants.gov.

LOIs may only be submitted by a user at the PI’s institution with the “Submit to DOE” privilege in PAMS. A PI may draft a LOI but will only be able to submit the LOI for institutional countersignature.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to inform their DOE Program Manager if teaming arrangements, proposed personnel, topics, or the anticipated title change between submitting the LOI and when an application is submitted to ensure that their application is properly linked to their LOI and that reviewers are properly assigned to the application.

Detailed instructions about how to submit an LOI are in Part 2 of this NOFO.

2. Pre-Application

Not applicable.

B. Application

Applications in response to this NOFO must be submitted through Grants.gov. Detailed instructions for registering in and using Grants.gov are in Part 2 of this NOFO.

C. Component Pieces of the Application

Letters of Support and Collaboration

Letters from collaborators or from institutions providing access to high-impact research experiences, data, models, software, equipment, or facilities may be appended to your Project Narrative and are not considered part of the Project Narrative’s page limit. Please ensure that letters from collaborators or from institutions only describe the nature of the collaboration or the access to high-impact research experiences, data, models, software, equipment, or facilities.

Letters of recommendation are not allowed in applications under this NOFO.

All letters may be addressed “To Whom It May Concern:”.

Letters of collaboration or access should be placed in Appendix 7 (Other Attachments).

Letters of collaboration or access must not be written as recommendation or endorsement letters, which are not allowed. Each letter of collaboration or access may contain two and only two sentences and must use the following format:

Dear <Principal Investigator Name>:

https://www.fedconnect.net/ https://www.grants.gov/

Version 4.1 Page 19 of 40

If your application entitled, “<Application Name>,” is selected for funding under the NOFO Name, it is my intent to collaborate in this research by <Complete Sentence With a Very Short Description of What the Collaborator Offers to Do or Provide>.

Thank you for the opportunity to participate.

Sincerely, <Collaborator’s Name and Signature Block>

Scientific User Facilities

Documentation from any SC scientific user facility may be provided with other letters of collaboration or access in Appendix 7.

1. SF-424 (R&R)

Complete this form first to populate data in other forms. Complete all the required fields in accordance with the pop-up instructions on the form. The list of certifications and assurances referenced in Field 17 is available on the DOE Financial Assistance Forms Page under Certifications and Assurances.4 Applicants are bound by their representations and certifications in SAM.gov.

Type of Submission (Field 1)

Select the checkbox for “Application” for an initial submission. Select the checkbox for “Changed/Corrected Application” if submitting an updated version of an application. Do not submit pre-applications via Grants.gov: Do not select the checkbox for “Pre-application.”

Identifying numbers (Field 4)

For renewals and supplemental funding, enter the DOE award number in Field 4a. Do not enter any other number in Field 4a. Do not enter anything in Field 4b. If submitting an updated version of an application, you may enter the previous Grants.gov Tracking ID in Field 4c, though this is not required.

UEI and EIN Numbers (Fields 5 and 6)

The Uniform Entity Identifier (UEI) and Employer Identification Number (EIN) fields on the SF-424 (R&R) form are used in PAMS to confirm the identity of the individual or organization submitting an application.

• Enter the UEI as a 12-digit alpha-numerical sequence.

• Enter the EIN as a nine-digit number.

• Do not use hyphens or dashes.

4 No separate form or submission is required for the Certifications and Assurances.

https://science.osti.gov/User-Facilities https://energy.gov/management/office-management/operational-management/financial-assistance/financial-assistance-forms

Version 4.1 Page 20 of 40

• SC does not use the 12-digit EIN format required by some other agencies.

• Applications will not be rejected if an applicant’s system-to-system service uses a 12-digit

EIN format or inserts hyphens or dashes in an EIN.

Type of Application (Field 8)

A new application is one in which DOE support for the proposed research is being requested for the first time. Only new applications will be considered under this NOFO.

Please answer “yes” to the question “Is this application being submitted to other agencies?” if substantially similar, identical, or closely related research objectives are being submitted to another Federal agency. Indicate the agency or agencies to which the similar objectives have been submitted.

Do not attach pre-applications to Field 20 of the SF-424(R&R) form or letters of intent to Field 21 of the SF-424(R&R) form.

2. Research and Related Other Project Information

Complete questions in Fields 1 through 6 of the SF-424 Research and Related Other Project Information form.

Note regarding question 4.a. and 4.b.

If any environmental impact, positive or negative, is anticipated, indicate “yes” in response to question 4.a., “potential impact – positive or negative - on the environment.”

Disclosure of the impact should be provided in response to question 4.b. First, indicate whether the impact is positive or negative and then identify the area of concern (e.g., air, water, exposure to radiation, impacts to endangered species or historic properties, etc.).

For actions that could have adverse impacts to the environment or have any possibility for adverse impacts to human health (e.g., use of human subjects, Biosafety Level 3-4 laboratory construction/operation, manufacture or use of certain nanoscale materials which are known to impact human health, or any activities involving transuranic or high level radioactive waste, or use of or exposure to any radioactive materials beyond de minimis levels), applicants should indicate a “negative” impact on the environment.

Lastly, based on requirements and guidance in 10 C.F.R. § 1021.102 and DOE’s National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures, to find that a proposal is covered by a categorical exclusion (CX), DOE will determine if: (1) the proposal fits within one or more classes of actions for which CXs are permissible, (2) there are no extraordinary circumstances related to the proposal that may affect the significance of the environmental effects of the proposal (DOE or an applicant may modify the proposal to avoid reasonably foreseeable adverse significant effects such that the CX would apply), and (3) the proposal has not been segmented to meet the definition of a CX.

Version 4.1 Page 21 of 40

The bulk of your application will consist of files attached to the Research and Related Other Project Information form. The files must comply with the following instructions:

Project Summary/Abstract (Field 7 on the Form)

The project summary/abstract is a summary of the proposed activity suitable for distribution to the public and sufficient to permit potential reviewers to identify conflicts of interest. It must be a self-contained document. The project summary/abstract must include:

• The project title, the PI name and the PI’s institutional affiliation, and any coinvestigators and their institutional affiliations. This information, and the information described below, must fit within the one-page abstract.

• The title page information must be followed by a statement of the pilot’s objectives, a description of the pilot, including methods to be employed, and the potential impact of the pilot (i.e., benefits, outcomes).

• The description of the proposed pilot, including the dual-competency framework and research activities, may not exceed one page (excluding Project Title and list of investigators) when printed using standard letter-size (8.5-inch x 11-inch) paper with 1-inch margins (top, bottom, left, and right). The body text font must not be smaller than 11 point. Figures and references, if included, must fit within the one-page limit.

A sample is provided below:

Pilot Title

A. Smith, Lead Institution (Principal Investigator)

A. Brown, Institution 2 (Co-Investigator) A. Jones, Institution 3 (Co-Investigator)

Text of abstract (no more than one page, excluding Pilot Title and list of investigators)

If an application is recommended for award, the project summary will be used to prepare a public abstract about the award. Award abstracts and titles form a government document that describes the project and justifies the expenditure of Federal funds in light of the DOE and SC mission statements at https://energy.gov/mission and https://science.osti.gov/about/.

• Do not include any proprietary or sensitive business information.

• DOE may use the abstract to prepare public reports about supported research.

DOE Title Page (Part of Project Narrative attached to Field 8 on the form)

The application narrative must begin with a title page that will not count toward the Project Narrative page limitation. The title page must include the following items:

• The project title

• Applicant/Institution

• Street address, city, state, ZIP https://energy.gov/mission https://science.osti.gov/about/

Version 4.1 Page 22 of 40

• Postal address

• Lead PI name, telephone number, email

• Administrative point of contact name, telephone number, email

• NOFO number: Include the NOFO number printed on the cover of this NOFO

• The primary challenge area as identified in Section III of The Genesis Mission:

Transforming Science and Energy with AI Notice of Request for Application (RFA) Number: DE-FOA-0003612: [For example, 1 - Reenvisioning Advanced Manufacturing and Industrial Productivity]

• [Optional] One or more secondary challenge areas identified in Section III of The Genesis Mission: Transforming Science and Energy with AI Notice of Request for Application (RFA) Number: DE-FOA-0003612: [For example, 7 - Discovering Quantum Algorithms with AI; 12 - Designing Materials with Predictable Functionality; 18 - HPC Code Curation, Translation, and Development for Accelerated Scientific Discoveries]

• LOI number

• If a multi-institutional team is being proposed, provide the following information on a separate page. This information will not count toward the page limitation.

• Indicate the lead PI who will be the point of contact and coordinator for the fellowship activity.

• Include a table modeled on the following chart providing summary budget information from all institutions. Provide the total costs of the budget request in each year for each institution and totals for all rows and columns.

Multi-Institutional Team Information

Names Institution Year 1 Budget

Year 2 Budget

Year 3 Budget

Year 4 Budget

Year 5 Budget

Total Budget

Lead

PI

Co-…