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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Laser-Focused Look at Spinning Electrons Shatters World Record for Precision
The measurement of electron beam polarization is the sharpest ever reported and sets the stage for future flagship experiments at Jefferson Lab.
ChatGrid: A New Generative AI Tool for Power Grid Visualization
ChatGrid is a practical application of DOE's exascale computing efforts and offers a new experience in easy, intuitive, & interactive data interaction
SLAC Scientists Explain: What is Inertial Fusion Energy?
Inertial confinement fusion is being explored for the creation of a fusion energy source, using lasers and a pellet filled with hydrogen isotopes.
New Measurement of Cosmic Distances in the Dark Energy Survey Gives Clues About the Nature of Dark Energy
Recent results fix the scale of the universe when it was half its present age with an accuracy of 2%, the most accurate ever obtained for that time.

University and Stakeholder News

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Scientists Create New ‘Spark Plug’ for Fusion Reactions
University of Rochester scientists led experiments to demonstrate an effective “spark plug” for direct-drive methods of inertial confinement fusion.
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Unlocking Secrets of the Universe: Underground Particle Project Advances
UH Mānoa physicists are responsible for the calibration of the gigantic detectors at the experiment to validate and tune their performance.
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From Small Hall to the Universe: W&M Physicists Help Shape Long-Range Visions for Future Research
Jozef Dudek and Christopher Monahan are among the leading scientists who developed national priorities for nuclear and particle physics.
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'Flawed' Material Resolves Superconductor Conundrum
The team identified a crucial difference between cuprate and nickelate superconductors & now have a more reliable method for growing cleaner samples.
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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