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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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.
Plasma Scientists Develop Computer Programs That Could Reduce the Cost of Microchips and Stimulate American Manufacturing
Scientists are developing computer simulation codes that will outperform current simulation techniques, using plasma in the production of microchips.

University and Stakeholder News

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Husker Researchers Using Metabolic Model to Study Temperature Stress on Corn
Researchers built the largest-ever metabolic model of corn to study temperature stress effects and how a certain fungus can help alleviate the problem
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UC Irvine Scientists Make Breakthrough in Quantum Materials Research
The advance will allow researchers to transform everyday materials into conductors for use in quantum computers.
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Physics Ph.D. Student Earns Department of Energy Fellowship at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
Anthony Wood, a doctoral candidate at the University of Houston, is working to uncover mysteries of neutrinos in particle physics.
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Rensselaer Doctoral Student Conducting Research at Los Alamos National Lab
Emily de Stefanis is one of 60 recipients of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) award.
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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