The Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Science (SC) has released the FY 2025 Continuation of Solicitation for the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program (NOFO Number: DE-FOA-0003432). This solicitation invites applications for research funding across multiple scientific disciplines, including Advanced Scientific Computing Research, Basic Energy Sciences, Biological and Environmental Research, Fusion Energy Sciences, High Energy Physics, Nuclear Physics, Isotope R&D and Production, and Accelerator R&D and Production. The solicitation remains open until September 30, 2025, with applications accepted on a rolling basis. Certain research areas may have specific deadlines for scheduled review panels.

The program's purpose is to support fundamental research that advances scientific understanding and technological development in DOE mission areas. Research should contribute to breakthroughs in basic science, provide tools and techniques for cutting-edge research, and foster innovation in energy, the environment, and national security. The DOE Office of Science is the largest federal sponsor of basic research in the physical sciences and plays a key role in driving scientific discovery and innovation.

The funding pool for this program is approximately $500 million, with individual awards historically ranging from $5,000 to $5 million. The expected number of new awards per year is between 200 and 350, with project durations ranging from six months to five years, with three years being the most common. This funding supports a wide range of research initiatives, from single-investigator projects to large, multi-institutional collaborations.

Eligibility for this funding opportunity is broad, encompassing universities, non-profit organizations, for-profit entities, and federal research institutions. However, DOE/NNSA National Laboratories may not apply as prime applicants but can participate as subrecipients. Other federal agencies and non-DOE/NNSA Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) may apply either as lead organizations or subrecipients. Individual applicants are advised to demonstrate how they possess the necessary expertise and resources to complete their proposed research.

Applications must be submitted via Grants.gov and the DOE Portfolio Analysis and Management System (PAMS). A pre-application is optional but encouraged, particularly for research topics with scheduled review panels. Applications must include a research narrative, budget details, and other required documentation. Specific application requirements, including program contacts and guidance on content, are provided in the NOFO.

Evaluation criteria include scientific merit, the potential impact of the proposed research, the qualifications of the research team, the quality of the research approach, and the alignment with DOE mission priorities. The selection process involves peer review and consideration of programmatic relevance.

Key deadlines include an informational webinar on October 1, 2024, at 2:00 PM ET. The NOFO remains open through September 30, 2025, but applicants should be mindful of specific programmatic review panel deadlines, which may require earlier submission. Interested applicants should consult the full NOFO document for detailed requirements, evaluation criteria, and submission guidelines.