The Private Facility Research (PFR) program, administered by the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science, aims to foster partnerships between public researchers and private fusion companies. This program supports public research at private experimental fusion facilities to enhance scientific rigor and broaden foundational research efforts. The program reflects DOE’s commitment to leveraging private sector advancements to close scientific and technological gaps in fusion energy development. It provides funding for researchers to utilize cutting-edge private fusion facilities, while also offering support for private companies to share nonproprietary data through a centralized repository.

The PFR program offers two primary types of awards: Public Research Awards and Data Mirroring Awards. Public Research Awards enable publicly funded researchers, including those from universities and national laboratories, to conduct research at private facilities. These awards are categorized into two subtypes: Standard Awards, which focus on comprehensive experimental research, and Novel Diagnostic Development Awards, which target the creation of innovative diagnostic tools. Data Mirroring Awards, on the other hand, support private companies in preserving and sharing experimental data in a public repository for broader access and analysis.

The program has an expected total funding allocation of $23 million, with individual awards ranging from $25,000 to $21 million depending on the award type. Award periods range from three to five years, with an anticipated 1–8 awards distributed. Eligible applicants include domestic institutions such as universities, national laboratories, private companies, and other federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs). Individuals with the requisite expertise are encouraged to apply in collaboration with their organizations. Specific limitations apply to the number of applications institutions and principal investigators may submit, particularly for Standard and Data Mirroring Awards, to ensure fair access and avoid duplication.

Applications must align with the PFR program’s focus on nonproprietary research, and all data generated under the program must be made publicly accessible. Participating private facilities, such as Commonwealth Fusion Systems, General Fusion, and others, must be operational by 2027 and meet certain criteria. Applicants must demonstrate established access to private facility data prior to application submission and ensure adherence to data openness and publication policies. Collaborations should focus on mutual scientific interests, as outlined in Statements of Mutual Interest, which guide the alignment of research objectives between public and private entities.

Proposals must include plans for diagnostic and hardware implementation, peer-reviewed publication of results, and adherence to safety and proprietary data-sharing agreements. The program encourages early communication between public researchers and private facilities to establish effective partnerships and align research efforts. Key dates, including deadlines and webinar schedules, are outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), and interested applicants are advised to register in the required systems and submit pre-applications ahead of deadlines.

Evaluation criteria will focus on scientific merit, alignment with program goals, feasibility, and the potential impact of the proposed research. Public researchers must ensure their projects contribute to advancing fusion energy technologies while fostering collaboration between public and private sectors. Applications should detail plans for data sharing, research dissemination, and collaborative integration with private facility operations to maximize the program's benefits for all stakeholders.