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Research and Grant Development Services

Program Details

Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRCs)

Sponsor: Department of Energy
Internal Deadline: 03/02/2026
Institutional Submission Limit: 3
Sponsor Deadline: 07/01/2026
Program Website

The DOE SC program in Basic Energy Sciences (BES) announces a re-competition of the Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC) program and encourages both new and renewal applications. Applications from multi-disciplinary teams will be required to propose discovery science and use-inspired basic research that address scientific challenges in one or more of the topic areas listed below. The focus of the EFRC program is on fundamental scientific research, therefore applications to this NOFO must not propose applied research and technology development activities.


 


BES is soliciting applications in two general categories: BES Report Topics and Special Topics. Applications may respond to topics in both categories.


 


In the BES Reports Topics, applicants must address priority research directions (PRD) and opportunities (PRO) identified in one or more of the following reports (see full description for PRO/PRD restrictions):



  • Foundational Science to Accelerate Nuclear Energy Innovation

  • Controlling Subsurface Fractures and Fluid Flow: A Basic Research Agenda

  • Basic Research Needs for Next Generation Electrical Energy Storage

  • Basic Research Needs for Transformative Manufacturing

  • Basic Research Needs for Microelectronics

  • BES Roundtable on Opportunities for Quantum Computing in Chemical and Materials Sciences

  • BES Roundtable on Opportunities for Basic Research for Next-Generation Quantum Systems


 


In the Special Topics, applicants must address one or more of the following topics (see full description for details):



  • Controlling Quantum Phenomena to Enable Unconventional Computing Paradigms

  • Development and Workflow Integration of AI/ML Models for Materials and Chemistry Discovery Science

  • Emergent Phenomena of Complex Chemical Systems

  • Fundamental Science for Critical Minerals and Materials (CMM)


 


DOE has scheduled a webinar for March 3, 2026, from 2:00 – 3:00 PM. This webinar will provide researchers interested in applying/supporting the application an opportunity to ask program managers questions about the application process as well as general guidance on topic areas.

 

Submission deadline for pre-applications (required): April 1, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. 


Pre-application response date: May 2, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. 


Submission deadline for applications: July 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. 

Submission Process

Limited submissions MUST be coordinated with the Office of the Vice President for Research.

If interested in applying for this opportunity, please combine the following items into a single PDF and email to resdev@mailbox.sc.edu by 5pm on the INTERNAL DEADLINE above:

  • Cover Page - include the following:

Title of EFRC Proposal

Principal Investigator Name (EFRC Director)

PI Email Address

Science topic(s) addressed (Found in Section III of NOFO)

Include a list of all senior/key personnel at the applicant and partner institutions.

List of partner institutions [if applicable]

 

  • Two-page project abstract
  • 2-3 Page CV/Biosketch for the PI (only)

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