The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is actively bolstering domestic fusion energy research through two key funding initiatives: the Fusion Innovative Research Engine (FIRE) Collaboratives and the Innovation Network for Fusion Energy (INFUSE). Announced on September 10, 2025, these programs represent a combined investment of $134 million, intended to secure U.S. leadership in emerging fusion technologies and foster collaboration between private industry, DOE national laboratories, and universities. This investment forms part of a broader DOE mission to advance American energy innovation and ensure the future of fusion power is developed within the United States, as articulated by U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright.
Details of the FIRE and INFUSE Funding Programs
The cornerstone of this funding is the $128 million allocated to the FIRE Collaboratives. This funding will be distributed amongst seven teams, each tasked with creating a cohesive innovation ecosystem focused on bridging the gap between basic scientific research within the DOE’s Fusion Energy Sciences (FES) program and the burgeoning fusion industry. DOE anticipates a total investment of up to $220 million over four years for the FIRE Collaboratives, with $31 million allocated for Fiscal Year 2025, contingent upon congressional appropriations. The structure of the FIRE Collaboratives involves centrally managed, virtual teams designed to accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into practical applications.
Complementing the FIRE initiative is the $6.1 million awarded through the INFUSE program. This funding supports 20 projects specifically designed to accelerate private-sector fusion energy development by reducing barriers to collaboration between businesses and national laboratories or universities. Selected projects, ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 each, were chosen through a competitive peer-review process managed by teams at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory. Research areas encompassed by these projects include materials science, laser technology development, high-temperature superconducting magnet assessment, artificial intelligence (AI) learning for fusion modeling and simulation, and enabling technologies crucial for achieving economical fusion energy.
Building on Previous Energy Act Foundations
These initiatives build upon the foundations laid by the Energy Act of 2020, which prompted the FES program to accelerate the viability of commercial fusion energy through partnerships with the private sector. The DOE emphasizes that these selections align with President Trump’s recent executive order, “Unleashing American Energy,” and are intended to strengthen U.S. manufacturing and supply chains, as well as support technologies vital for national security, energy security, and defense. While selection for award negotiations does not guarantee funding, the DOE anticipates a negotiation process with applicants before final awards are issued.
