The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released the Fusion Science and Technology (FS&T) Roadmap, which sets out a national plan to speed up the development and commercialization of fusion energy. The goal is to bring commercial fusion power to the grid by the mid-2030s through the Build–Innovate–Grow strategy, which aims to align public funding with private sector innovation.
This move follows President Trump’s Executive Order focused on expanding domestic energy production and restoring the country’s energy dominance. The DOE says that accelerating the progress toward commercial fusion power will help strengthen the electric grid, rebuild important supply chains, and secure a new period of reliable, domestically produced energy.
Energy Department Under Secretary for Science Dr. Darío Gil said, “The Fusion Science and Technology Roadmap brings unprecedented coordination across America’s fusion enterprise. For the first time, DOE, industry, and our National Labs will be aligned with a shared purpose—to accelerate the path to commercial fusion power and strengthen America’s leadership in energy innovation. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, the Department is streamlining the full strength of the U.S. scientific and industrial base to deliver fusion energy faster than ever before.”
The roadmap was presented at the U.S. Fusion Energy Enterprise Events in Washington, D.C., which brought together leaders from government, industry, and academia. Input from over 600 scientists, engineers, and industry stakeholders helped identify the main research and technology gaps that need to be addressed to achieve a Fusion Pilot Plant and support U.S. leadership in the global fusion sector.
The roadmap’s three main priorities are building critical infrastructure, encouraging innovation through research and advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, and growing the fusion ecosystem via public-private partnerships and workforce development.
Jean Paul Allain, Associate Director of DOE’s Office of Fusion Energy Sciences, said, “Fusion is real, near, and ready for coordinated action. This roadmap provides the strategic foundation for building the scientific, technical, and industrial base needed to ensure American leadership in commercial fusion on an ambitious timeline.”
More than $9 billion in private investment is already being used for burning-plasma demonstrations and prototype reactor designs. The DOE is coordinating efforts to address remaining technical challenges, including materials, plasma systems, fuel cycles, and plant engineering. The Build–Innovate–Grow strategy involves collaboration with national laboratories, industry, universities, and international partners to advance fusion science and secure U.S. leadership in this field. The roadmap details plans for investment in six core areas: structural materials, plasma-facing components, confinement systems, fuel cycle, blankets, and plant engineering and integration.
The DOE notes that its ability to meet the roadmap’s milestones depends on developing future public-private partnerships and that funding will depend on Congressional appropriations. The full Fusion Science & Technology Roadmap is available at https://www.energy.gov/fusion-energy.
