Research and Innovation Office

Extramural Coordinated Funding


UM Submission Instructions: The Genesis Mission: Transforming Science and Energy with AI 2026

Sponsor: Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE),Department of Energy (DOE)
Award Title: The Genesis Mission: Transforming Science and Energy with AI
Amount: $750,000
$500,000–$750,000 over 9 months. Applicants for Phase I awards should prepare budgets with a single period that starts on July 1, 2026 and ends on March 31, 2027.
UM Deadline: 03/27/2026
Sponsor Deadline: 04/28/2026
Description:

The DOE Office of Science (SC), Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation (CMEI), Office of Environmental Management (EM), Office of Nuclear Energy (NE), Office of Electricity (OE), and Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Office (HGEO) hereby announce interest in receiving applications from interdisciplinary teams addressing the Genesis Mission National Science and Technology Challenges to accelerate scientific discovery and research and development (R&D) workflows using novel artificial intelligence (AI) models and frameworks.

By achieving AI advantage, these teams will advance the DOE's mission and ensure America's security and prosperity by addressing energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges through science and technology. Teams are encouraged to leverage the extensive scientific and data resources of the DOE/National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), the National Laboratories, U.S. industry, and academia. The resulting AI models and workflows, if successful, may be integrated into the American Science Cloud.
Number of Applicants University is Allowed to submit: Multiple
Additional Requirements: Restriction on duplicate topics (see RFA)
Sponsor Guidelines: https://science.osti.gov/-/media/grants/pdf/foas/2026/DE-FOA-0003612.pdf
UM Nominations Process:

UPDATE (4/1/2026):

For any remaining focus areas, applicants will be considered on a first-come first-served basis until the funder deadline (4/28/2026). Interested PIs must contact RIO at collabor@umn.edu to inquire whether the focus area is still available. Submitting an EOI (cover page & 1 page project description, add'l detail below) is required to secure a nomination for any remaining focus area.

STEP ONE: Internal Expression of Interest (EOI)

Due: March 27, 2026, at 5:00 pm

All interested applicants must complete an internal EOI by the 3/27/26 deadline. If multiple EOIs are received for a focus area, applicants will be invited to submit an internal application (Step Two) to determine who will move forward as the University's nominee.

Applicants will be notified by March 30, 2026, at 12:00 PM regarding submission status.

Submission Instructions

Upload documents as one PDF file (Name: [Last name]_EOI_GenesisAI) to collabor@umn.edu by 5:00 pm on the deadline.

1. Cover Letter (1 page, PDF)

  • Descriptive title of proposed activity
  • PI name, departmental affiliations, and contact information
  • Co-PI names and departmental affiliations
  • Names of other key personnel
  • Participating institutions and level of commitment
  • Phase I or Phase II
  • Primary challenge and focus area(s) (e.g., 1. Reenvisioning Advanced Manufacturing, A. Agentic AI-Driven Chemical Manufacturing)
  • Anticipated Total Budget

2. Project Description (1 page, PDF)

Articulate the vision for science/applied energy initiatives. Describe how AI enhances workflows, address the chosen focus area, and explain how it solves the corresponding challenge. Phase I must demonstrate elements needed for AI advantage.

STEP TWO: Internal Application

(Required only for focus areas with multiple EOIs)

Due: April 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM

Submission Instructions

Upload as one PDF (Name: [Last name]_GenesisAI) to collabor@umn.edu by 5:00 p.m. on 4/1/26.

1. Cover Letter (See Step One details)

2. Project Description (Up to 3 pages, PDF)

  • Background: Importance/relevance, specific challenge addressed, field perspective, and novel aspects.
  • Project Objectives: Concise objectives and alignment with focus topic/AI advantage.
  • Proposed Research and Methods: Description of activities and methods.
  • Data Sources and Models: Existing/new data sources and team access.

3. Biographical Sketches

Include a 2-page current NSF Bio-sketch for all PIs and Co-PIs.
Peer Review Coordination: Research and Innovation Office contact email
Status: The internal deadline has passed with some applicant spots still available. Contact us if interested.
Please note: To be considered for peer review and internal selection, faculty must follow the above submission guidelines and meet the UM deadline as set by the office coordinating the peer review for this opportunity.


General Information

  • Each posting has information about the external sponsor and opportunity as well as the internal application instructions.
  • Opportunities can be sorted by column headings; just click on the heading to re-sort by that column.
  • When a link redirects you to another site, it opens in a new browser window.
  • If you know of an opportunity that is not on the list, please contact Kristin Mead.
Internal Requirements

  • Sponsor: Name of funder.
  • Award Title: Funding opportunity nameAmount: Range/Maximum dollar amount awarded.
  • UMN Deadline: Submission deadline for internal proposal as determined by the coordinating office.
  • Sponsor Deadline: External deadline identified by the sponsor.
  • Description: General information about the sponsor and the funding opportunity. Usually describes the purpose of the funding opportunity, overview of what the sponsor is looking for, including distinctive criteria. This is not meant to take the place of the sponsor guidelines; please read the sponsor guidelines before deciding to apply.
  • Number of Applicants University is Allowed to Submit: The maximum number of applications the sponsor will allow the university to submit.
  • Additional Requirements: Identifies any special requirements such as cost sharing, partners, etc.
  • Sponsor Guidelines: Link to the sponsor’s funding opportunity website.
  • UMN Nominations Process: Contains specific internal submission requirements including internal proposal instructions, deadline, eligibility, internal nomination process, contact information.
  • Peer Review Coordination: The name and contact email of the office coordinating the funding opportunity. RIO coordinates most limited submissions, but opportunities coordinated by other offices or programs are also posted on this webpage.
  • Status:
    • Open: UM deadline has not passed and the opportunity is open for application.
    • Forecasted: The funder has not yet formally published the opportunity. The deadline has yet to be determined.
    • Archived: The opportunity has been archived by the funder.
    • Spots Remaining: UMN deadline has passed, with some applicant spots still available. Contact collabor@umn.edu if interested
    • First-Come, First-Served: Applicants accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact collabor@umn.edu if interested
    • Contact Us: The internal deadline has passed, but no applicants were selected. Please contact the office coordinating the peer review for more information.
    • In Review: Peer review process is in progress for the opportunity.
    • PI Selected: The PI(s) have been selected as the official UMN nominees.
    • Closed: UMN is no longer accepting applications.
UMN Selection Process

  • Once the internal deadline has passed, if the number of applicants is less than or equal to the number of spots the university is allowed to send forward, the applicants automatically become the UMN nominee(s).
  • If the status of an opportunity is "First-Come, First-Served", there was not time to hold an internal review. Applicants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • If there are no applicants, the status will change to "Contact Us". At this point, the opportunity changes to a first-come, first-served opportunity.
  • If there are multiple applicants, the office coordinating the nomination will determine the review criteria and coordinate the review process. The status will change to "In Review".
  • Once the review has been completed all parties will be notified via email.
  • Nominees will be provided with an email from RIO (or the designated coordinating office) indicating that they are the university's nominee. This letter should accompany the nominee's proposal.
  • SPA is notified of the university's nominee(s) and the status is updated to "PI(s) Selected".


*If you have questions about the University's process related to extramural funding opportunities requiring nomination or if you have any technical issues with the site, contact collabor8@umn.edu.

For questions, please contact RIO's Research Advancement group.