INFUSE FY2026 Workshop: INFUSE Program Updates

Summary

This presentation provides program updates and submission guidelines for the DOE INFUSE (Innovation Network for Fusion Energy) program for FY2026. It details program leadership, overall statistics, topical areas, submission timelines, eligibility criteria, and key policy updates including cost-share rules, maximum application limits, and guest access vetting procedures.

Page 1: Title Slide

INFUSE Innovation Network for Fusion Energy DOE SC FES Private/Public Partnership Program URL: https://infuse.ornl.gov Email: [email protected]

INFUSE FY2026 Workshop A. Lumsdaine & E. Gilson INFUSE Program Updates November 6, 2025

Page 2: INFUSE Leadership

INFUSE Leadership

• Program Manager: Colleen Nehl (U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science)
• Director: Arnold Lumsdaine (Oak Ridge National Laboratory)
• Deputy Director: Erik Gilson (Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory)
• Program Specialist: Jessica Black (Oak Ridge National Laboratory)

Page 3: INFUSE Overview

INFUSE Overview The mission of INFUSE is to provide private-sector fusion companies access to the expertise and facilities of DOE’s national laboratories and (since FY2022) U.S. academic institutions to overcome critical scientific and technological hurdles in pursuing development of fusion energy.

AWARDS:

• 129 projects awarded since 2019 with a total value of >$29M
• Awards were made to 37 private companies partnering with 10 DOE labs and 16 U.S. Universities.
• Detailed list: https://infuse.ornl.gov/awards-and-statistics/

PARTICIPATING LABORATORIES: INL, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, PPPL, Sandia National Laboratories, Savannah River National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Fermilab.

TOPICAL AREAS:

1. Enabling Technologies (25%)
2. Materials Science (23%)
3. Plasma Diagnostics (11%)
4. Modeling and Simulation (35%)
5. Unique Fusion Experimental Capabilities (5%)
6. Paths to Commercialization (1%)

Page 4: INFUSE Overview and GAIN Comparison

INFUSE Overview (with #GAINAccess banner): AWARDS:

• 129 projects awarded since 2019 with a total value of >$29M
• Awards were made to 37 private companies partnering with 10 DOE labs and 16 U.S. Universities.
• Detailed list: https://infuse.ornl.gov/awards-and-statistics/

PARTICIPATING LABORATORIES: INL, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Berkeley Lab, LLNL, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, PNNL, PPPL, Sandia National Laboratories, Savannah River National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Fermilab.

TOPICAL AREAS:

1. Enabling Technologies
2. Materials Science
3. Plasma Diagnostics
4. Modeling and Simulation
5. Unique Fusion Experimental Capabilities
6. Paths to Commercialization

Page 5: INFUSE Web Site

INFUSE Web Site https://infuse.ornl.gov/

Any issues? Email [email protected]

Page 6: INFUSE Web Site – Subscribe

INFUSE Web Site – Subscribe http://eepurl.com/iBeZiM

Enter information below to be informed of INFUSE program funding calls and other news. You will be able to unsubscribe at any time.

• Email Address
• First Name
• Last Name [Subscribe Button]

Emails will come from [email protected]

Page 7: INFUSE Web Site – Meetings

INFUSE Web Site – Meetings Menu dropdown displays:

• FY2026 Workshop
• FY2025 Virtual Workshop
• FY2024 Workshop
• FY2024 Virtual Mini-Workshop
• FY2023 Workshop
• FY2022 Workshop
• FY2021 Workshop

Page 8: INFUSE Web Site – Submission

INFUSE Web Site – Submission

• RFA Submission Access – Need to start here if submitting an application
• RFA Submission Information – RFA call, documents and templates
• Previous RFA Information – Documents and presentations on prior RFAs

Page 9: INFUSE Web Site – Library

INFUSE Web Site – Library

• The Library includes National Lab Capabilities and University Contacts.
• If a University faculty member would like to be added to this directory, there is a link at the bottom of the contacts page: ‘Join the University Contacts Directory’ (Request a Profile / Manage Your Profile).

Page 10: INFUSE Web Site – Fusion Events (New Feature)

INFUSE Web Site – Fusion Events (New Feature)

• INFUSE has started a listing of events of interest, relevant to the community.
• These may be submitted from the INFUSE website via the Event Submission Form. They will be vetted before appearing on the site.

Page 11: INFUSE Schedule

INFUSE Schedule FY2026:

• Nov. 6, 2025: RFA posted
• Nov. 5-7, 2025: INFUSE RFA launch workshop
• Nov. 7, 2025: RFA submission opened
• Jan. 16, 2026: RFA submissions closed (5:00pm EST)
• June 2026: Award Announcement Expected
• Sep. 1, 2026: Work Start Date

Page 12: INFUSE Process

INFUSE Process

Preparation Phase:

• Identify priority R&D
• Identify partner institution
• Agree upon work scope (Record of Discussion)
• Company confirms or obtains SAM.gov Unique Entity ID

Application Phase:

• Technical narrative
• Budget and cost-share
• Supporting Documents
• Lab Only: CRADA certification (does not need to be executed for application)
• University Only: Establish Intellectual Property Management Plan (IPMP) and IPMP certification

Award Phase:

• Award notification
• Lab Only: Lab submits Field Work Proposal (FWP) and receives funding
• Lab Only: Establish standardized CRADA
• University Only: University submits proposal to SC Open Notice
• University Only: DOE awards funding via grant/cooperative agreement
• Begin work

Process Flow: Private Industry submits RFA to DOE-INFUSE -> DOE-INFUSE issues M&O Contract/FWP to DOE Laboratories (CRADA with Private Industry) or Grant/Cooperative Agreement to U.S. Universities (IPMP with Private Industry).

Page 13: What is Changing for FY2026?

What is Changing for FY2026?

1. RFA – more description of topic areas
2. IPMP grace two-week grace period (not new, mentioning again)
3. Cost-share clarification
4. Three application maximum per company (down from four)
5. PIER plan requirement removed
6. Appendix 3 – Foreign affiliation information required for companies with foreign affiliation

Page 14: What is Changing for FY2026? (Recap)

What is Changing for FY2026?

1. RFA – more description of topic areas
2. IPMP grace two-week grace period (not new, mentioning again)
3. Cost-share clarification
4. Three application maximum per company (down from four)
5. PIER plan requirement removed
6. Appendix 3 – Foreign affiliation information required for companies with foreign affiliation

Page 15: Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility Requirements

• Eligible Applicants: Private companies incorporated in the United States (can be a foreign owned subsidiary – PI and all cost-share must come from US subsidiary). Must have SAM.gov Unique Identity ID at time of submission.
• Eligible Partner Institutions: Any DOE national laboratory or institution of higher education with unique capability that is not available in the private sector. Partners must agree to work (record of discussion).
• Award size: $100Kto$500k with a 20% cost share requirement, 12 months in duration. Requests of higher amounts and up to 24 months will be considered for work deemed to be of critical value to the company.
• Number of Allowable Applications: 3 per company per RFA call.
• Company Certifications: (1) Cost-share certification; (2) IP Certification (CRADA or IP Management Plan); (3) Conflict of Interest certification (“button push” on submission site). For partnerships with universities, IP management plan must be submitted at time of award (or within two-week grace period).

Page 16: What is Changing for FY2026? - Topic Areas Focus

What is Changing for FY2026?

1. RFA – more description of topic areas (Highlighted)
2. IPMP grace two-week grace period (not new, mentioning again)
3. Cost-share clarification
4. Three application maximum per company (down from four)
5. PIER plan requirement removed
6. Appendix 3 – Foreign affiliation information required for companies with foreign affiliation

Page 17: Topic Areas

Topic Areas

• Web site is a good location to learn more about what is included in Topic Areas.
• The RFA call lists more subtopics than in the past.

Subtopics include:

• Enabling technologies: Magnets and magnet materials for LTSC, HTSC including HFSC; Blanket and shielding evaluations, neutronics and volumetric heating; Tritium processing and control; Target injection, tracking, and engagement technology for IFE; Pellet fueling, pumping and disruption mitigation for MFE; Plasma heating systems including ICH, ECH, LHCD, helicon and gyrotron sources, Neutral Beam Heating, both positive and negative ion beam; Advanced plasma facing components (PFCs) for first wall and divertor applications; Advanced In-vessel components (IVCs) like faraday shields and antenna guard armor; Remote handling and RAMI.
• Materials science: Neutron irradiation; Material characterization; Development of engineered materials, advanced manufacturing applied to fusion systems, joining processes; Documentation of physical properties, compilations of government reports and literature surveys; Safety analysis involving materials compatibility for both solids and liquids; Corrosion and wear, liquid metal embrittlement, tritium permeation; Joining processes; Plasma surface interactions involving erosion, redeposition, wall conditioning, dust formation; Waste handling and decommissioning.
• Diagnostics: Design and/or deployment of plasma diagnostics; Design and/or deployment of engineering diagnostics.
• Modeling and Simulation: Physics, engineering and/or materials modeling/simulation; High-fidelity, exascale simulations; Digital twins of fusion facilities; Training of AI/ML models with experimental and simulation datasets; Surrogate models; Technoeconomic modeling.
• Unique fusion experimental capabilities: Use of facilities at U.S. public institutions to utilize already existing, unique facilities to qualify materials or test engineering concepts.
• Activities to support eventual fusion commercialization: Accident and safety analysis in support of eventual licensing; Public engagement; Fuel supplies; Advanced manufacturing; Waste disposition and recycling.

Page 18: What is Changing for FY2026? - Cost-Share and Appendix 3 Focus

What is Changing for FY2026?

1. RFA – more description of topic areas
2. IPMP grace two-week grace period (not new, mentioning again)
3. Cost-share clarification (Highlighted)
4. Three application maximum per company (down from four)
5. PIER plan requirement removed
6. Appendix 3 – Foreign affiliation information required for companies with foreign affiliation (Highlighted)

Page 19: Cost-share & U.S. Presence

Cost-share & U.S. Presence

• Cost-share clarification:
  • “If the company is foreign owned, in-kind cost share may only be attributed to staff of the U.S. subsidiary.”
  • This has always been the rule, but is now stated explicitly in the RFA call.
• Appendix 3 – U.S. Presence:
  • Foreign affiliation information required for companies with foreign affiliation.

Page 20: Appendices

Appendices

1. Images and tables (if necessary)
   • Maximum of 2 pages.
2. Project distinction from other DOE support
   • Applicants with ongoing DOE funded projects may include information to explain how the proposed INFUSE project is distinct from other ongoing funded awards.
   • Maximum 1 page.
3. U.S. presence
   • Companies with a foreign affiliation must describe the nature of the U.S. presence, including approximate number and type of employees (engineers, technicians, etc.), the location of lab or office space in the U.S. and the nature of the work undertaken there (e.g., research, development, design).
   • The role of the PI in the U.S. company must also be indicated. Applications that do not include this information will be returned without review.
   • Maximum 1 page.

Page 21: What is Changing for FY2026? - PIER Plan Focus

What is Changing for FY2026?

1. RFA – more description of topic areas
2. IPMP grace two-week grace period (not new, mentioning again)
3. Cost-share clarification
4. Three application maximum per company (down from four)
5. PIER plan requirement removed (Highlighted)
6. Appendix 3 – Foreign affiliation information required for companies with foreign affiliation

Page 22: FY2026 Submission Tips

FY2026 Submission Tips A few tips on proposal submission:

• You will need to go through the vetting process to get access to the submission site (see following slides). This process can take several days and so should be started as soon as possible.
• Make sure to give sufficient detail outlining the cost share split between private / national lab partners.
• Also see “Tips on writing a successful proposal” document under “RFA Submission Information and Templates” on submission page (http://infuse.ornl.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/INFUSEhints.pdf) or the “Frequently Asked Questions” page.

Page 23: Submission Process – go to “submission” on menu

Submission Process – go to “submission” on menu URL: https://infuse.ornl.gov/rfa-announcement-and-submission/

• You may begin the process now.
• This is the first step of the “vetting” process to gain access to the RFA application site.

INFUSE Contacts:

• INFUSE questions: [email protected]
• Arnie: [email protected]
• Erik: [email protected]
• Jessica: [email protected]

Page 24: Submission – Vetting Process for Guest Access (New for FY2026)

Submission – Vetting Process for Guest Access (New for FY2026) To request guest access for submitting an RFA Application, please visit https://infuse.ornl.gov/rfa-announcement-and-submission/ and fill out the form under “Access to Submission Site” at the bottom of the page. An automated process will check if you have already been vetted and your email is in our system.

If you are in the system, you will receive an invitation to the RFA Application site along with log in instructions. Note that if you have changed software (i.e. reinstalled Authenticator) or hardware (i.e. new cell phone) you may need to email [email protected] in order to reset your MFA.

If you are not in our system, you will receive the email below: Follow these steps to request access to ORNL as a guest:

1. Install the Microsoft Authenticator App: Download and install Microsoft Authenticator from the app store on your phone.
2. Create Your ORNL Guest Credential: On your phone, go to ORNL Verified and follow the steps to set up your guest credential. If you’ve already done this before, you can skip this step.
3. Visit ORNL My Access: Open a web browser on your computer and go to ORNL My Access.
4. Sign In: When prompted, log in using your work or school email from your home organization.
5. Request Access: Follow the on-screen instructions to request access to the ORNL resource you need.
6. Verify Your Identity: Open the Microsoft Authenticator app on your phone. Tap “Verified ID”, then tap the QR code button in the top right corner. Use your phone to scan the QR code displayed on your computer screen.

What Happens Next? You and your ORNL contact will receive an email notification once your access request is approved. Once you have been vetted, you will receive an email invitation to the RFA Application site along with log in instructions.

Page 25: Submission Notes

Submission Notes A few notes on proposal submission:

• You may make any changes to your application while it is in “Draft”.
• When you change to “Submit” and press save:
  • You will be notified if any required fields are not completed.
  • You will be sent a confirmation email including a PDF of your submission.
• You can continue to modify your application until Jan. 16 at 5:00pm (EST).
• The system times out after 30 minutes!

Page 26: INFUSE is asking for brief quarterly reports

INFUSE is asking for brief quarterly reports We will be asking for quarterly updates from both company and partner PIs.

• One-page forms will request the following: o Status of CRADA o Progress towards project goals o Any issues or concerns? o Is cost share (company) and budget/schedule (partner) on track?
• These are expected to be “short answer”.
• Due dates in 2026 – January 31, April 30, July 31, October 31.

Page 27: What We Need From You

What We Need From You

• In order to communicate INFUSE success stories to stakeholders we are needing final reports and project summary slides. The slides should:
  • Describe technical impact:
    • Artifacts generated (papers, patents, etc.)
    • Technical readiness demonstrated / matured
    • Risks mitigated
  • Describe business impact:
    • Progress towards company objectives
    • Input into other funding opportunities
    • Risks mitigated

Page 28: Project Example - Divertor Component Testing

Divertor Component Testing (Slide 28) Topic Area: Experimental Capabilities Period of Performance: 3/2020 - 3/2021

Partner: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Dr. Travis Gray) Company: Commonwealth Fusion Systems (Dr. Adam Kuang, Dr. Matthew Reinke)

Project Summary: Execute high heat flux testing of the base material being considered for SPARC at representative loads.

Fusion Impact: Qualified the use of tungsten heavy alloy (WHA) - 97% W, 2% Ni, 1% Fe by weight, for use in tokamaks under higher heat fluxes than previously assessed and documented failure mechanisms relative to pure tungsten.

Business/Market Impact: Potential cost savings to future devices as tungsten heavy alloy has significantly lower machining cost relative to pure tungsten. Material properties also enable larger components, thus reducing part count.

Images caption: Left: Model and actual test stand. Top: Before and after images of the test samples.

Page 29: Questions?

Questions? INFUSE Innovation Network for Fusion Energy

Page 30: Discussion

Discussion https://infuse.ornl.gov/