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

Video Url
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

VIEW ALL
Ashley James Wins 2023 Klein Award for Studying Mercury Poisoning
James' research on chronic and acute mercury exposure challenges conventional views.
More Than 40 Interns Delve Into Plasma Physics and Fusion Energy Research During Internships at PPPL
It was the first time the internships were fully in person at PPPL since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Scientists Uncovered Mystery of Important Material for Semiconductors at the Surface
Scientists at ORNL are investigating the behavior of hafnium oxide, or hafnia, because of its potential for use in novel semiconductor applications.
'Computer Vision' Reveals Unprecedented Physical and Chemical Details of How a Lithium-Ion Battery Works
New method lets researchers extract pixel-by-pixel information from nanoscale X-ray movies of electrode particles absorbing & releasing lithium ions.

University and Stakeholder News

VIEW ALL
Bahar Asgari Receives Department of Energy Early Career Award
Central to Asgari’s research is the concept of merging hardware and software in a manner reminiscent of the intricate processes of the human brain.
Learn more
Stabilizing Precipitate Growth at Grain Boundaries in Alloys
Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have identified a novel pathway to stabilize the nanoscale precipitates in alloys.
Learn more
Closing the Carbon Cycle With Green Propane Production
Researchers from Penn have helped develop a new carbon-capture solution for a cleaner, more energy-dense fuel source.
Learn more
BU Astronomer Wins Department of Energy Early Career Research Award
Boston University astronomer Chuanfei Dong is working to untangle the mysteries of plasma.
Learn more

Recently Featured Articles

VIEW ALL

Science Highlights

VIEW ALL
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, $7.5 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