Office of the Under Secretary for Science

Toya Beiswenger uses scanning electron microscopy to characterize radioactive and non-radioactive material in real-world samples, used in several contexts, including the assessment of nuclear security vulnerabilities. Credit: Genevieve Martin/ORNL, U.S. Dept. of Energy

The Office of the Under Secretary for Science executes on the U.S. Department of Energy’s science and innovation mission and is the nation’s largest federal sponsor of basic research in the physical sciences. It oversees the Office of Technology Commercialization, the Office of Strategy and Technology Roadmaps, the Office of Science, the Office of Fusion, the Office of Artificial Intelligence and Quantum, and 13 of the 17 DOE National Laboratories.

Genesis mission graphic: A National Mission to Accelerate Science Through Artificial Intelligence

The Under Secretary for Science also serves as DOE’s lead for the Genesis Mission, a national initiative to build the world's most powerful scientific platform to accelerate discovery science, strengthen national security, and drive energy innovation.

Accelerating Scientific Breakthroughs at Unparalleled Speed and Accuracy

Wheel diagram of Genesis partners

The Genesis Mission will:

  • Unite DOE National Labs, industry, academia, and more to harness AI for breakthroughs in energy, discovery science, and national security.
  • Double the productivity and impact of American science and engineering within a decade.
  • Advance critical and emerging technologies—including quantum computing—to drive economic growth.
  • Build a complex integrated platform, connecting the world’s best supercomputers, experimental facilities, AI systems, and unique datasets.
     

Genesis Mission Pillars

  • Blue energy tower

    Energy Dominance

    The Genesis Mission will accelerate the design and deployment of safe, advanced reactor technologies—including modular nuclear reactors—and fusion power sources to provide abundant, affordable, and resilient energy. The initiative will also modernize America’s electric grid.

National Science and Technology Challenges

DOE identified 26 national science and technology challenges to accelerate U.S. innovation and leadership in energy dominance, discovery science, and national security. These challenges will deliver tangible benefits for the American people through the Genesis Mission’s AI platforms, world-class facilities, and public-private partnerships.

Leadership

Program Offices

Get in Touch