Our Mission

DOE’s Office of Science has a mission to deliver scientific discoveries and major scientific tools to transform our understanding of nature and advance the energy, economic, and national security of the United States. We are the nation’s largest federal sponsor of basic research in the physical sciences and are a major supporter of research in such key scientific fields as physics, materials science, computing, and chemistry. We are also the lead federal agency supporting fundamental scientific research related to energy.

To keep America in the forefront of discovery and innovation, we sponsor research at hundreds of universities, national laboratories, and other institutions across the country. We also build and maintain a vitally important array of large-scale scientific facilities at the DOE national laboratories, which are used by thousands of researchers every year.

About the Office of Science

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The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Science is the nation’s largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences, the steward of 10 DOE national laboratories, and the lead federal agency supporting fundamental research for energy production and security. Our job is to keep America at the forefront of discovery. This video is an overview of the Office of Science’s mission, people, and resources.
Video courtesy of DOE's Office of Science

Science Headlines

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Learning From the Past: How Algae Use Memory to Protect Against Sudden Changes in Sunlight
A kind of rudimentary memory allows plants and green algae to adjust their photosynthetic systems to respond more rapidly to changes in light.
When Do Brains Grow Up?
New research at Argonne National Laboratory shows mouse and primate brains mature at the same pace.
Shrinking Particle Accelerators with Cold Plasma and a Large Picnic Basket
SLAC scientists are working on innovations that could give more researchers access to accelerator science.
Scientists Combine Climate Models for More Accurate Projections
Researchers have created a new method for statistically analyzing climate models that projects future conditions with more fidelity.

University and Stakeholder News

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Mason Physicist Receives University’s First DOE Early Career Award
The award recognizes Fereshte Ghahari Kermani's contributions to the field of condensed matter physics.
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Growth and Regrowth: What Happens to Switchgrass When Food Reserves Are Depleted?
The switchgrass was able to increase its rate of photosynthesis by adding more leaves and restock what was missing by the end of the growing season.
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Three Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Researchers Awarded DOE Earthshot Funding for Carbon Removal Strategies
Researchers will create computer models to measure how well CO2 removal techniques work on land, rivers, and oceans, as part of $264 million in grants
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Partners in Data: Q&A with Vice Provost Dennis Manos
William & Mary will benefit from a new $300+ million High Performance Data Facility hub led by longtime partner Jefferson Lab in Newport News.
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Science Highlights

Dept. of Energy Office of Science delivers scientific discoveries, tools for the nation via programs in Advanced Scientific Computing Research; Basic Energy Sciences; Biological & Environmental Research; Fusion Energy Sciences; High Energy Physics; Nuclear Physics. Also supports Accelerator Research; Isotope Research; Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer; 5 national quantum centers; 2 energy innovation hubs. Stewards 10 DOE national labs. 100-plus Nobel Prizes, $8.1 billion budget.

The Office of Science is the single largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the United States and is working to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time.

Image courtesy of the Department of Energy Office of Science