DOE plans up to $100 million for Ph.D. fellowship pilot

The U.S. Department of Energy announced a graduate fellowship pilot on October 8, 2026, with up to $100 million in planned funding for doctoral training that combines science and engineering with what the department calls “Super Intelligence.”

The Genesis Mission Graduate Fellowship Pilot would fund projects led by domestic doctoral-granting institutions, supporting an initial cohort of approximately 100 Ph.D. fellows. DOE describes accelerated, four-year doctoral pathways—not simply a research placement added to an existing degree program. Each fellow would complete two hands-on research experiences: one at a DOE National Laboratory or user facility, and another with an industry partner.

The funding figure comes with an important condition. DOE lists $20 million for fiscal year 2027 and says support in later years depends on congressional appropriations. The full $100 million is a planned ceiling, not a guaranteed total.

DOE presents the pilot as a way to develop researchers with expertise in both advanced computing and their scientific disciplines. Its announcement uses “Super Intelligence” as the label for that training but does not define the term or explain how the coursework would be taught or assessed.

The fellowship announcement formed part of a wider set of Energy Department initiatives presented at the White House’s AI Science Summit, according to Nextgov/FCW. The outlet also reported separate funding announcements for Genesis Mission projects and early-career researchers.

DOE scheduled a webinar for November 4, 2026, at 4 p.m. Eastern and directed prospective applicants to its Office of Science Funding Opportunities page for more information.