White House Redirects $5 Billion toward AI Research
A Major Overhaul of US Science Policy in 80 Years
On July 22, 2026, the White House announced a significant shift in federal science funding, with $5 billion dedicated to the Genesis Mission—an Energy Department-led initiative to harness artificial intelligence (AI) for scientific research. This commitment emerged from more than 5,000 applications, resulting in the selection of 278 projects across various sectors.
The Genesis Mission: Unlocking Scientific Potential with AI
The Genesis Mission, established through a 2025 executive order, aims to revolutionize scientific capabilities by bringing together researchers, institutions, and technology partners. According to Dario Gil, director of the effort for the Energy Department, this mission represents the next generation of scientific advancement.
Key highlights:
- Largest Response Rate in DOE History: The Department of Energy received an unprecedented response rate for any program within its jurisdiction.
- Diverse Funding Areas: Projects span biomedical research, energy grid reliability, quantum computing, microelectronics manufacturing, and more.
- Notable Award: A $60 million investment in nuclear energy project Prometheus will leverage AI to streamline reactor design, licensing, manufacturing, and operation.
"Science: A New Golden Age" Report
Accompanying the Genesis Mission announcement was a report titled "Science: A New Golden Age" by OSTP Director Michael Kratsios, presented to President Trump. This report proposes a fundamental rethink of US science policy, advocating for a shift in federal research funding towards AI-ready systems and individual scientists rather than universities.
The report suggests that agencies with substantial research authority allocate resources without adhering to traditional university-centric models, instead embracing more flexible, investigator-driven funding approaches. Agencies have 90 days to submit implementation plans for these changes.