DOE Office of Science — FY2026 Continuation of Solicitation for the Financial Assistance Program

Who qualifies

• Open to domestic entities: for-profit companies (including small businesses), universities, non-profit research organizations, DOE national laboratories, and other federal research organizations
• Foreign entities may participate as subrecipients but cannot be the prime applicant
• Must propose work in one of the seven program areas: Advanced Scientific Computing Research, Basic Energy Sciences, Biological and Environmental Research, Fusion Energy Sciences, High Energy Physics, Nuclear Physics, or Isotope R&D and Production
• For-profit applicants MUST include an appendix (max 200 words) describing how their proposed work advances basic scientific understanding — proposals that appear to address commercial activity or current customer needs may be declined without merit review
• Organizations described under section 501(c)(4) that engaged in lobbying activity after December 31, 1995 are ineligible
• SAM.gov registration must be active at time of application
• No cost-share or matching funds required

Hard requirements

• Must be incorporated

What it covers

How to apply

1. 1

   Identify the correct program area and program manager

   Review the seven DOE SC program areas at science.osti.gov and identify which one aligns with your proposed research. Each area (ASCR, BES, BER, FES, HEP, NP, Isotope) has its own program managers who review proposals. Contact the relevant program manager before applying to confirm fit and whether a pre-application is required for that specific area.

   ~4 hrs

2. 2

   Submit pre-application (check requirement per program area)

   A pre-application is optional/encouraged for most areas but required in some. The pre-application is typically a 2-4 page summary of the research concept submitted via PAMS (pamspublic.science.energy.gov). Program managers use pre-applications to assess fit before the full application is written. Submit the pre-application well in advance of the full application deadline.

   ~8 hrs

3. 3

   Register on PAMS and confirm SAM.gov status

   Create an organizational account at PAMS (pamspublic.science.energy.gov) — this is DOE's Portfolio Analysis and Management System, separate from Grants.gov. Confirm SAM.gov entity registration is active and UEI is valid. SAM.gov new registrations take up to 10 business days. Grants.gov account also required for final submission.

   ~3 hrs

4. 4

   Develop technical narrative

   Write the project narrative: objectives, methodology, significance, innovation, and relevance to the DOE SC program area. Must demonstrate basic scientific merit — not commercial utility. For-profit applicants: attach the mandatory 200-word appendix explaining how the work advances fundamental scientific understanding. Also develop the PIER Plan (Promoting Inclusive and Equitable Research) as a required appendix.

   ~60 hrs

5. 5

   Prepare budget and personnel documents

   Complete SF-424, SF-424(R&R) budget forms. Prepare detailed budget justification for all cost categories (personnel, fringe, equipment, travel, materials, indirect). Include Current and Pending Support disclosures for all senior/key personnel (required post-NSPM-33). Prepare biographical sketches for all senior personnel. Include NICRA (Negotiated Indirect Cost Rate Agreement) if your organization has one.

   ~16 hrs

6. 6

   Submit full application via Grants.gov

   Assemble all required documents and submit through Grants.gov before September 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET. Submit at least 48 hours early to catch system errors. Retain Grants.gov confirmation number and track application status in PAMS.

   ~5 hrs

Industry & certifications

NAICS codes: 541712, 541715, 541711, 541380

Deadline & timing

Solicitation DE-FOA-0003600 is open until September 30, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET, or until replaced by a successor NOFO. Applications submitted through Grants.gov. Pre-application to the relevant DOE SC program office is optional but encouraged — in some program areas it is required before a full application will be accepted. Check the individual program area page at science.osti.gov to confirm pre-application policy. SAM.gov registration required. Questions to sc.opencall@science.doe.gov or (301) 903-4946 (Michael S. Zarkin, Grants Management Specialist).

Programs that stack well

• SBIR Phase II — Department of Energy
• DOE Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research (CINR) Program

Related programs