DOE Announces $134 Million to Advance U.S. Fusion Leadership
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced $134 million in funding to accelerate innovation in fusion energy through two major programs: the Fusion Innovation Research Engine (FIRE) Collaboratives and the Innovation Network for Fusion Energy (INFUSE). Of the total, $128 million will support seven FIRE teams tasked with creating a nationwide fusion research and technology ecosystem that connects DOE’s basic science efforts with the growing private fusion industry. An additional $6.1 million will fund 20 INFUSE projects aimed at reducing barriers to collaboration between private companies, national labs and universities. Selected INFUSE projects cover a range of research areas, including advanced materials, high-temperature superconducting magnets, artificial intelligence modeling and enabling technologies to move fusion closer to commercial viability.
Fusion energy, which replicates the same process that powers the sun, has the potential to deliver abundant, reliable and American-made energy. DOE’s investments, made possible under the Energy Act of 2020 and aligned with President Trump’s energy agenda, mark a significant step in strengthening U.S. leadership in fusion, advancing domestic supply chains and supporting technologies critical for energy and national security. Over the next four years, DOE plans to invest up to $220 million in the FIRE Collaboratives, contingent on congressional appropriations, while INFUSE will continue fostering industry partnerships through one-year competitive awards. Together, these programs are designed to accelerate progress toward commercial fusion power and solidify the U.S. role as a global leader in this transformative energy technology.
