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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Argonne Hosts See Yourself in STEAM Event for Students from Groups Underrepresented in STEM
Argonne employees came together at a U/STEAM event to build Chicago students’ interest in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.
SLAC Technology Designed to Detect Dark Matter Could Lead to a Better Understanding of Galaxy Evolution
Sensors designed and created at SLAC could help a proposed satellite mission map the X-ray emissions of galaxies with unprecedented precision.
First Calibration Training at CAMS
Scientists from the Center for Aerosol Measurement Science hosted a successful first training for the calibration & maintenance of aerosol instruments
Researchers from ORNL Develop AI-Driven Tool for Near Real-Time Cancer Surveillance
Artificial intelligence has delivered a major win for pathologists and researchers in the fight for improved cancer treatments and diagnoses.

University and Stakeholder News

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Finding New Physics in Debris from Colliding Neutron Stars
Researchers find neutron star mergers are a treasure trove for new physics signals, with implications for determining the true nature of dark matter.
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Nosy Chemistry
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are utilizing chemically-generated fluid flows to “fingerprint” reagents in solution.
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We Know the Arctic is Warming — What Will Changing River Flows Do to its Environment?
Research from UMass Amherst provides a clear view of how thawing permafrost and an accelerated water cycle will greatly alter the region’s ecosystems.
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Photovoltaic Company Started by Engineering Faculty Member Receives Department of Energy Funding
Osazda Energy, a UNM professor, has been selected for a DOE Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II funding of $1.1 million.
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Recently Featured Articles

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Science Highlights

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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