The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $134 million in funding to support the advancement of fusion energy research and technology in the United States. The funding is directed toward two programs: the Fusion Innovation Research Engine (FIRE) Collaboratives and the Innovation Network for Fusion Energy (INFUSE).
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.”
The department will allocate $128 million to seven teams under the FIRE Collaboratives program. These teams aim to create an innovation ecosystem by forming virtual, centrally managed groups that bridge basic science research with growing fusion industries. Their collective goal is to link DOE’s Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) program with private sector development.
Additionally, $6.1 million will go to 20 projects selected through the INFUSE program. This initiative seeks to accelerate private-sector fusion energy development by lowering barriers between businesses and national laboratories or universities. Areas of focus include materials science, laser technology development, high temperature superconducting magnet assessment, artificial intelligence for modeling and simulation, and enabling technologies for economical fusion energy.
Fusion energy replicates processes found in stars such as the sun and could provide abundant and reliable power. Since passage of the Energy Act of 2020, DOE’s FES program has worked closely with industry partners through efforts like INFUSE and FIRE to speed up commercial viability for fusion power.
These initiatives are part of a broader strategy aimed at maintaining U.S. leadership in fusion research, strengthening domestic manufacturing supply chains, and supporting technology development important for national security and defense. They also align with President Trump’s executive order on expanding domestic energy production by fostering collaboration within the American fusion industry.
A complete list of selected projects is available on the Fusion Energy Sciences program homepage.
The INFUSE awards were determined through a competitive peer review process led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. Individual project awards range from $100,000 to $500,000 over one year.
For FIRE Collaboratives, DOE expects total investment could reach up to $220 million over four years if future appropriations are approved by Congress. The current allocation includes $31 million from Fiscal Year 2025 funds.
DOE clarified that selection for award negotiations does not guarantee funding; all applicants must undergo a negotiation process before final approval.
