DOE Awards $135M to NextGen STEM Scientists for AI, Astrophysics, and Fusion Energy Research
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has recently announced that it will be providing a total of $135 million in funding to support 93 early career scientists across the country. These scientists, hailing from 47 universities and 12 DOE National Laboratories, will receive financial assistance for their research endeavors encompassing a broad range of disciplines such as artificial intelligence (AI), astrophysics, and fusion energy. The DOE’s 2023 Early Career Research Program awards aim to cultivate the next generation of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) leaders who will contribute to the advancements in these fields and solidify America’s position as a global innovator.
Jennifer M. Granholm, the U.S. Secretary of Energy, emphasized the importance of supporting scientists and researchers in the early stages of their careers. She believes this funding will provide the recipients with the necessary resources to tackle complex questions and establish themselves as experts in their respective fields. It is crucial to invest in the scientific community at the onset of their careers to ensure the United States remains at the forefront of scientific discovery.
The funding allocated for these awards is part of the DOE Office of Science’s Early Career Research Program, which plays a vital role in strengthening the country’s scientific workforce by providing support to exceptional researchers during their most formative years. Since the program’s inception in 2010, it has granted a total of 868 awards, with 564 awarded to university researchers and 304 awarded to researchers at National Laboratories.
The 93 prestigious awards will be distributed among scientists across 27 different states. California takes the lead with 14 awardees, followed by Illinois with 10, and New York with 8. The states of Tennessee, Colorado, New Mexico, and Washington each secured 5 awards. Multiple states, including Arizona, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, will receive 4 awards. Additionally, 12 other states, such as Ohio, Texas, Virginia, and more, will be represented by 3 award recipients. The remaining states – Alabama, Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin – will each have 2 awardees. Lastly, Arkansas, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Wyoming will have one awardee from each state.
The awardees were selected through a rigorous peer review process conducted by scientific experts from various fields. The announced projects are pre-selected for financial negotiation and are subject to final grant and contract negotiations between the DOE and the awardees.
The total funding of $135 million will cover projects extending up to five years. Out of this amount, $69 million will be allocated for the fiscal year 2023, while additional funding will be contingent on future congressional appropriations.
To be eligible for Early Career Research Program awards, researchers must hold positions as untenured, tenure-track assistant or associate professors at U.S. academic institutions or work full-time at DOE National Laboratories. They must have received their Ph.D. within the past 12 years. Research topics must align with the scope of the DOE Office of Science’s eight major program areas.
The selected researchers will have the opportunity to showcase their expertise and contribute to groundbreaking discoveries. The program not only supports their research, but also empowers them to make significant contributions to science and foster innovation.
For further details about the 93 awardees and their research projects, please visit the Early Career Research Program webpage.
The Early Career Research Program continues to play a pivotal role in encouraging emerging talents in the STEM fields. By investing in and recognizing the potential of young scientists, the DOE aims to create a sustainable future that thrives on scientific excellence and technological advancements. These investments ensure that the United States remains at the forefront of scientific progress, leading the way in AI, astrophysics, and fusion energy research.
