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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Artificially Intelligent Software Provides a Detailed Look at Jets of Plasma Used to Treat Cancer
The computer code predicts chemicals emitted by plasma devices, which can be used to treat cancer, promote healthy tissue growth & sterilize surfaces.
Direct View of Tantalum Oxidation that Impedes Qubit Coherence
Advanced electron microscopy & computational modeling reveal clues that may improve performance of superconducting components for quantum computers.
Watching the Enzymes That Convert Plant Fiber Into Simple Sugars
New research sheds light on how to access the sugars locked up in plants to produce petroleum-free fuels, chemicals, and medicines.
Register Today: U.S. Department of Energy Hosts a Two-Day Virtual Clean Fuels & Products Shot™ Summit!
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will host the Clean Fuels & Products Shot™ Summit on April 8, 2024, from 11am – 2pm ET, and April 9, 2024, from 11am - 4pm ET. Register today for the virtual event that will gather stakeholders across government, industry, academia, and non-profit organizations to engage on the objectives, progress, priorities, and future plans for the seventh DOE Energy Earthshot™.

University and Stakeholder News

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Emerging Field of Quantum Computing Advances at MSU Through $500K Department of Energy Grant
The research explores interdisciplinary programs for training students in the evolving technology of quantum computing and quantum information science
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Multitasking Microbes: UW–Madison Scientists Engineer Bacteria to Make Two Valuable Products from Plant Fiber
The team used genomic modeling to come up with a list of potential products that could be made from biomass aromatics, with zeaxanthin near the top.
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Advanced Computational Tool or Understanding Quantum Materials
A team of researchers has developed a new computational tool to describe how the atoms within quantum materials behave when they absorb & emit light.
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Scientists Uncover Link Between the Ocean’s Weather and Global Climate
Using mechanical rather than statistical analysis, the team offers a new framework for understanding the climate system.
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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