Your TL;DR: The Department of Energy’s FY26 Phase I – Genesis Mission introduces a new Phase I application process that begins with a required Pitch. Companies interested in applying should understand the key dates, funding levels, required registrations, and application prerequisites before they begin preparing their submission.
The Department of Energy’s FY26 Phase I – Genesis Mission is more than another SBIR/STTR solicitation. It also introduces a different application experience, one that asks applicants to complete several important steps before they ever reach a full Phase I proposal.
Understanding those requirements early can prevent avoidable delays and provide more time to focus on developing a competitive technical concept.
Organizations that wait until the application deadline approaches often discover that registrations, account requests, and administrative requirements take longer than expected.
If your company is considering this opportunity, now is the time to confirm that every prerequisite has been completed before proposal development begins.
Key Dates for the FY26 Genesis Mission
- Wednesday, 7/22: Program is announced, opportunity and resources posted, applicants can request access to the Acquisition Management Portal (AMP)
- Mid August: AMP Applications Open
- Wednesday, 8/5 at 3 PM ET: Virtual Office Hours Part I with DOE and CWX representatives
- Wednesday, 8/12 at 3 PM ET: Virtual Office Hours Part II with DOE and CWX representatives
- Thursday, 9/10 at 2 PM ET: Application Closes
Applicants should not assume they can create accounts or complete required registrations during the final days before the deadline. DOE recommends completing these administrative steps well in advance of submission.
Phase I Funding
The Department of Energy’s FY26 Phase I – Genesis Mission opportunity provides awards of up to $250,000 for selected small businesses pursuing innovative artificial intelligence applications aligned with DOE mission priorities. Phase I projects are intended to demonstrate technical feasibility while positioning successful performers for potential follow-on Phase II funding.
The solicitation includes topics spanning several strategic research areas, including:
- Biotechnology
- Advanced manufacturing
- Semiconductor technologies
- Fusion energy
- Critical materials
- Quantum information science
- Autonomous laboratories
- Artificial intelligence for scientific discovery
Applicants should review individual topic descriptions carefully to ensure their technology aligns with the objectives of the selected topic before preparing a Pitch.
Required Registrations
Submitting a competitive application begins well before writing technical content. DOE identifies three required registrations that small businesses must complete before applying through the SBIR/STTR program. Applicants must also request access to the Acquisition Management Portal (AMP), which is used to submit the Department of Energy’s FY26 Phase I – Genesis Mission application. Organizations that do not already have these registrations should begin the process immediately, as approval timelines vary.
- System for Award Management (SAM.gov): Your organization must have an active SAM registration and a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). https://sam.gov/
- SBA Company Registry: Applicants must provide proof of SBA Company Registry registration as part of their application. https://app.dev.ussbir.io/company-registration/overview
- Register with the DOE SBIR/STTR Application Hub (powered by ConnectWerx) and request access to the Acquisition Management Portal (AMP). – Please request an account here.
The Pitch Is a Required First Step
Unlike previous DOE SBIR/STTR opportunities, applicants cannot move directly to a full Phase I proposal.
Every applicant must first submit a Pitch through the AMP system. DOE uses this initial submission to determine whether an applicant will be invited to continue to the next stage of the competition. According to the Application Hub, the Pitch consists of four questions with defined word limits and serves as the agency’s first evaluation of the proposed innovation. Applicants who are not invited after the Pitch review cannot submit a full Phase I application.
Looking Ahead
The Department of Energy’s FY26 Phase I – Genesis Mission reflects continued investment in artificial intelligence and advanced scientific research. Organizations that begin preparing now, rather than waiting until the final weeks before the deadline, will have more time to confirm eligibility, complete registrations, refine their technical positioning, and develop a stronger submission.
Early preparation rarely guarantees success, but it almost always creates a more competitive application.