FY26 Phase I - Genesis Mission
Active Solicitation | Submission Deadline: September 10, 2026 at 11:00AM (2:00PM ET)
IMPORTANT: This is a deadline for application only, not a live event. Mark your calendars to submit, not to attend!
Application deadline: September 10, 2026.
ConnectWerx, a Partnership Intermediary of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), intends to open an initial Small Business Innovation Research – Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Phase I funding opportunity in collaboration with the Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC). As the first Phase I funding opportunity under OTC’s management of the DOE SBIR/STTR Programs, this Genesis Mission opportunity introduces a more streamlined, applicant-focused approach to the Phase I program. A broader Phase I funding opportunity covering additional technology topics will follow later this summer. Through the Genesis Mission opportunity, DOE intends to make approximately 40 awards totaling in $10M, representing up to $44M of cumulative SBIR/STTR funding over the projects’ lifecycles. Please note that total funding to be requested by a Small Business Concern in their full application should not exceed $250,000 (or $256,500 if the proposal includes a request for TABA).
Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for SBIR/STTR Phase I awards as outlined on the Eligibility Page, as well as adhere to the below topic language in their proposals.
Topics
1. Scaling the Biotechnology Revolution
This topic area calls for proposals to leverage advanced AI for biotechnology, including for biochemicals and bioproducts applications. Areas of interest include AI tools to support biomolecular design, establish genotype-phenotype relationship, support predictive microbiome engineering and microbiome gene expression, accelerate bioreactor design and biomanufacturing, and otherwise enhance genome engineering.
2. Realizing Quantum Systems for Discovery: AI for Quantum Computing and Networking
This topic seeks proposals that leverage AI to characterize and mitigate decoherence in qubits; develop and implement effective quantum error correction codes; control quantum processing units and quantum network systems; automate and optimize quantum resource estimation tools focusing on scalability and interoperability for multiple quantum computing architectures; develop computationally efficient and scalable tools for quantum computing performance verification and validation; develop tools to translate high-level problem descriptions into executable quantum programs; develop tools to manage computational workflows that integrate classical high-performance computing, AI, and quantum resources; and ensure the scalability of quantum processors and network systems.
3. Designing Materials with Predictable Functionality
This topic area seeks proposals that leverage advanced AI frameworks to facilitate easier materials design. Successful proposals should accelerate the discovery and deployment of advanced materials that are essential for American competitiveness in energy, manufacturing, and technology by enabling “inverse design,” where materials are engineered to meet specific property requirements.
4. Achieving AI-Driven Autonomous Laboratories
This topic area seeks proposals that integrate AI directly into experimental workflows to accelerate discovery, improve repeatability, and generate richer datasets. Areas of interest include advanced robotics, AI for Network Operations, diagnostics, remote handling, and neuromorphic computing circuit primitives.
Process Details
All applicants will be required to submit an initial Pitch application for review before they can have the opportunity to access the full application. Only successful Pitch applications will be invited to submit a full application.
How to Participate
Review this page for details on eligibility, evaluation criteria, and how to apply.
Attend one or both of the two (2) virtual Office Hours sessions in mid-August.
Download the Pitch Development Guide template, answer the 4 questions paying mind to maximum word counts.
Gather Bibliography & References Cited (if applicable).
Complete the Submission Form in the SBIR/STTR Acquisition Management Portal (AMP). Submissions are due no later than September 10, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET.
Timeline:
Wednesday, 7/22: Program is announced, opportunity and resources posted, applicants can request access to AMP
Mid-August: AMP Applications Open
Wednesday, 8/5 at 3 PM ET: Watch virtual Office Hours Part I with DOE and CWX representatives here.
Wednesday, 8/12 at 3 PM ET: Watch virtual Office Hours Part II with DOE and CWX representatives here. – COMING SOON!
Thursday, 9/10 at 2 PM ET: Application Closes
Future Considerations:
Selected Phase I awardees will enter into a funding agreement with DOE and ConnectWerx. Selection for award negotiations is not a commitment by DOE to issue an award or provide funding. Before funding is issued, DOE and the applicants will undergo a negotiation process, and DOE may cancel negotiations and rescind the selection for any reason during that time. Based on their successful completion of project milestones, a subset of Phase I awarded companies will be granted Phase II awards. Follow-on Phase II, II.2 and Strategic Breakthrough Awards will be made to this selected cohort based on go/no-go decision points, awardee performance, and funding availability in later years.
How to Apply
Complete the online application and upload the appropriate project information and supporting documentation in the AMP application portal.
Submissions are due no later than September 10, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET. Late submissions will not be accepted. Submissions can be made in advance of the deadline and updated (or files replaced) up to the deadline.
Within the application, there will be 4 open-text questions to guide the formation of your pitch. Essentially a short “elevator pitch”, these questions are your opportunity to convince DOE to accept and then review a full application for your project. The four questions that make up the pitch portion of the application, guidance, and requirements can be found here. Because of strict word count requirements, it is highly recommended that you download and then draft your responses outside of the application portal and then paste them in when you are ready to apply.
You will also have the opportunity to upload a Bibliography & References Cited Document to support your pitch, but it is not required.
Apply now!
Thanks to U.S. Department of Energy, ATI and ConnectWerx for offering this global startup competition program!