Government Programs, National Lab Partnerships, and Manufacturing Initiatives

Table of Contents

1. DOE Genesis Mission
2. Manufacturing USA Institutes
3. National Labs: Materials and Nanotech Research
4. CHIPS Act Implications
5. NSF Convergence Accelerator
6. Critical Materials Innovation Hub (CMI)
7. Critical Materials Collaborative (CMC)
8. ARPA-E Programs
9. International Efforts
10. Public-Private Partnership Models
11. University Research Centers
12. Funding Mechanisms for Startups and Research Groups
13. Atomically Precise Manufacturing (APM) Landscape

1. DOE Genesis Mission

What It Is

The Genesis Mission is a sweeping national initiative launched by executive order on November 24, 2025, directing the Department of Energy and its 17 national laboratories to build the world’s most powerful AI-integrated scientific platform. The stated goal is to double the productivity and impact of American science and engineering within a decade.

The mission connects the world’s leading supercomputers, experimental facilities, AI systems, and unique scientific datasets into a unified platform.

How It Works

The executive order establishes specific timelines:

• Within 240 days: DOE must assess the capabilities of national laboratories related to robotic laboratories, autonomous experimentation, and AI-directed manufacturing.
• Within 270 days: DOE must demonstrate an initial operating capability of the Platform for at least one identified national science or technology challenge.

In February 2026, DOE announced 24 collaboration agreements with external organizations and published 26 Science and Technology Challenges of national importance.

The 26 Challenges (Selected)

Challenges directly relevant to advanced manufacturing and materials:

Other challenges span fusion energy, nuclear, quantum algorithms, grid infrastructure, subsurface energy assets, and biotechnology.

Key Infrastructure

The Lux AI cluster, to be deployed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 2026 under partnership with AMD, will expand DOE’s near-term AI capacity and accelerate progress on critical lighthouse problems including fusion, fission, materials, quantum, and advanced manufacturing.

Why This Matters

The Genesis Mission represents the largest-ever U.S. government bet on AI-accelerated scientific discovery. For anyone in materials science or advanced manufacturing, this is the dominant new funding and collaboration vector. The 26 challenges are essentially a roadmap of what the government will fund and prioritize over the next decade.

Key Links:

• White House Executive Order: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/11/launching-the-genesis-mission/
• DOE 26 Challenges: https://www.energy.gov/articles/energy-department-announces-26-genesis-mission-science-and-technology-challenges
• DOE Collaboration Agreements: https://www.energy.gov/articles/energy-department-announces-collaboration-agreements-24-organizations-advance-genesis
• ORNL Genesis Page: https://www.ornl.gov/genesis

2. Manufacturing USA Institutes

Overview

Manufacturing USA is a network of 17 innovation institutes founded in 2014, spanning the Departments of Commerce, Defense, and Energy. The network reaches 1,300+ organizations, has leveraged $2B in private investment alongside $1B in federal funds, and has trained 200,000+ people in advanced manufacturing.

Complete Institute List

Most Relevant for Materials / Advanced Manufacturing

• America Makes: The nation’s leading collaborative partner for additive manufacturing and 3D printing. Member-driven, industry-focused. Membership tiers allow startups to join.
• RAPID: Focuses on technologies that optimize processes at the molecular level, closest to matter compilation concepts.
• IACMI: Advanced polymer composites for vehicles, wind turbines, compressed gas storage.
• LIFT: Lightweight metals and alloys, advanced materials manufacturing.
• REMADE: Circular economy for materials, reuse, recycling, remanufacturing.

Membership and Engagement

Institutes are member-driven consortia. Companies, universities, and research organizations can join as members. Membership provides access to:

• Collaborative R&D projects
• Shared facilities and equipment
• Workforce development programs
• Networking with industry peers

Notable: REMADE

DOE does not plan to renew its financial assistance award to REMADE after the current award ends in 2026. This is relevant context for the institute landscape.

Key Link: https://www.manufacturingusa.com/institutes

3. National Labs: Materials and Nanotech Research

DOE Nanoscale Science Research Centers (NSRCs)

The DOE operates five Nanoscale Science Research Centers, which are the cornerstone of government-funded nanotechnology research. These are open user facilities, researchers from academia, industry, and other institutions can apply for access.

Access Model

• Non-proprietary access: Free, through peer-reviewed proposals. Results must be published.
• Proprietary access: Available on a cost-recovery basis for work not intended for publication.
• Proposal process: Submit a brief proposal evaluated by an external Proposal Review Panel (PRP). Proposals can range from single experiments to multi-year programs.
• Open to all: Academia, private sector, and research institutes worldwide.

Lab-by-Lab Highlights

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)

• CNMS for nanophase materials research
• Manufacturing Demonstration Facility (MDF), the nation’s premier facility for large-scale additive manufacturing R&D
• Genesis Mission Lux AI cluster deployment (2026)
• Neutron science facilities (Spallation Neutron Source, HFIR) for materials characterization

Sandia National Laboratories

• CINT for nanotechnology integration
• Materials and Advanced Manufacturing research division
• Microsystems engineering and semiconductor research
• Strong defense manufacturing orientation

Argonne National Laboratory

• CNM for nanoscale materials research
• Advanced Photon Source (APS), world-class synchrotron for materials characterization
• Materials Science Division, fundamental research in energy materials
• Critical materials research program (lithium, cobalt, rare earths)

NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)

• Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology (CNST)
• Atom-scale Devices program, developing atom-by-atom fabrication techniques using scanning tunneling microscopy
• Measurement and standards for nanomanufacturing
• CHIPS for America R&D programs (see Section 4)

Key Links:

• NSRC Portal: https://nsrcportal.sandia.gov/
• Becoming a User: https://nsrcportal.sandia.gov/Home/User
• Molecular Foundry: https://foundry.lbl.gov/become-a-foundry-user/
• NNI User Facilities: https://www.nano.gov/userfacilities/

4. CHIPS Act Implications

Overview

The CHIPS and Science Act (2022) authorized $52.7 billion for semiconductor manufacturing, R&D, and workforce development. For advanced manufacturing research specifically:

R&D Funding: $11 Billion

The CHIPS Research and Development Office is investing $11 billion into developing a robust domestic semiconductor R&D ecosystem. This is separate from the manufacturing incentives program (~$39B for fab construction).

Priority Research Areas

• Next-generation lithography and materials
• Advanced device architectures
• Advanced packaging
• Design tools and methodologies
• Domestic manufacturing processes
• Applications in AI, quantum technology, and biotechnology/biomanufacturing

Current Status (as of March 2026)

• Natcast removed: In August 2025, DOE removed Natcast as operator of the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) and rescinded $7.4 billion in CHIPS R&D funds previously awarded to Natcast. DOE now administers CHIPS R&D funds directly.
• Broad Agency Announcement: In September 2025, the CHIPS R&D Office released a BAA soliciting proposals for research, prototyping, and commercial solutions. This is active through September 2029 with awards on a rolling basis.
• FY2026 Appropriations: Congress must determine whether to continue funding for semiconductor workforce development and other CHIPS-related programs.

How to Access

The rolling BAA (Broad Agency Announcement) is the primary mechanism. Proposals should address semiconductor R&D priorities and can come from companies, universities, or research organizations.

Key Links:

• CHIPS at NIST: https://www.nist.gov/chips
• CHIPS at NSF: https://www.nsf.gov/chips
• Manufacturing Dive Tracker: https://www.manufacturingdive.com/news/chips-and-science-act-tracker-semiconductor-manufacturing/734039/

5. NSF Convergence Accelerator

Program Model

The NSF Convergence Accelerator uses an innovation model with two phases:

• Phase 1: Teams receive ~$750K for 12 months to develop concepts, conduct research, and form partnerships.
• Phase 2: Selected teams receive up to ~$5M for 24 months to create deliverables and prototypes.

Track I: Sustainable Materials for Global Challenges

This is the track most relevant to materials science and manufacturing.

Investment: $11.5 million across 16 Phase 1 multidisciplinary teams.

Focus Areas:

• Materials informatics and data-sharing infrastructure
• Making materials knowledge usable in design and manufacturing
• Critical materials and manufacturing processes (including microelectronics)
• Sustainable polymers for healthcare and packaging
• Commercially viable materials for clean energy

Example Funded Projects:

Other Relevant Tracks

• Track H: Enhancing Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities
• Track J: Food & Nutrition Security

How to Apply

NSF releases annual solicitations for new Convergence Accelerator tracks and cohorts. Teams must be multidisciplinary and include partners from academia, industry, nonprofits, and/or government.

Key Link: https://www.nsf.gov/funding/initiatives/convergence-accelerator/program-model

6. Critical Materials Innovation Hub (CMI)

What It Is

The CMI Hub (formerly Critical Materials Institute) was established in 2013, led by Ames National Laboratory. It is a DOE Energy Innovation Hub focused on assuring supply chains for materials critical to clean energy technologies.

Scale and Scope

• Phase III (current): Began Q4 2023, potential $30 million/year over 5 years
• 300+ people in leadership and research roles
• 9 national laboratories, 12+ universities, 30+ industry partners
• Dozens of patents filed and issued
• Technologies actively licensed to industry

Research Focus Areas

• Rare earth materials
• Battery materials (lithium, cobalt, manganese, graphite)
• Indium and gallium
• More-diverse primary supply chains
• More-efficient manufacturing, reuse, and recycling
• Development of substitute materials
• Environmental sustainability analysis
• Supply chain and economic modeling

Related Initiative: CM2US

The Critical Minerals and Materials to Unlock Supply (CM2US) initiative involves 12 DOE national laboratories with private sector partners, aiming to accelerate breakthroughs across the entire critical minerals supply chain from mining to manufacturing. This integrates AI approaches.

How to Partner

CMI operates through its consortium model. Industry partners can:

• Join as consortium members
• Propose collaborative research projects
• License CMI-developed technologies
• Access CMI user facilities and expertise

Contact through Ames National Laboratory or the CMI website.

Key Links:

• CMI at Ames: https://www.ameslab.gov/cmi
• CMI at Mines: https://cmi.mines.edu/
• DOE CMI Page: https://www.energy.gov/eere/ammto/critical-materials-innovation-hub-cmi

7. Critical Materials Collaborative (CMC)

What It Is

The Critical Materials Collaborative (CMC) is a DOE-created convening body launched in summer 2023 to improve communication and coordination among DOE, government agencies, and stakeholders working on critical materials. It sits under the DOE Critical Minerals and Materials Program.

Distinction from CMI

• CMI = Research hub, does the science and engineering
• CMC = Coordination body, connects stakeholders and shares information
• DOE Critical Minerals and Materials Program = Broader DOE office overseeing both

DOE Critical Minerals and Materials Program

This program sits at the DOE level (not just EERE) and coordinates cross-cutting critical materials activities across the department, including:

• Supply chain vulnerability assessment
• R&D coordination across labs
• Interagency coordination
• International engagement on critical minerals

Key Links:

• CMC: https://www.energy.gov/cmm/critical-materials-collaborative
• DOE Critical Minerals: https://www.energy.gov/topics/critical-minerals-and-materials

8. ARPA-E Programs

Overview

ARPA-E funds high-risk, high-reward energy technology research. Relevant programs for advanced manufacturing and materials:

Directly Relevant Programs

OPEN Solicitations

ARPA-E releases OPEN solicitations every three years (most recent: 2024) that accept proposals across all energy technology domains, including advanced manufacturing and materials.

How to Apply

ARPA-E uses Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) published through the ARPA-E eXCHANGE portal. The 2026 ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit (April 7-9, 2026) is a major networking event.

Key Links:

• ARPA-E Programs: https://arpa-e.energy.gov/programs-and-initiatives/program-overview
• Funding Opportunities: https://arpa-e-foa.energy.gov/
• ARPA-E Summit 2026: https://www.arpae-summit.com/

9. International Efforts

European Union: Horizon Europe

Budget: The 2026-2027 Work Programme allocates EUR 14 billion in research and innovation funding.

Relevant Calls:

• HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MATERIALS-PRODUCTION-01: Advanced manufacturing for key products (including advanced/secondary raw materials)
• HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MATERIALS-PRODUCTION-05: Circular advanced materials, facilitating transition from design to markets
• Nanotechnology-specific calls under Cluster 4 (Digital, Industry, and Space)

Key Changes for 2026-2027:

• Lump-sum grants cover ~50% of call budgets
• Proposal page limits dropped to 40 pages
• Number of topics cut by 35% in favor of broader, higher-value calls
• 35% of total budget (~EUR 4.9B) dedicated to climate action

Access for Non-EU Entities: U.S. organizations can participate as partners in consortia (though typically not as lead). Some calls are open to international participation.

Japan

National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS)

• Japan’s only national R&D institute specializing exclusively in materials science
• Operates the NIMS Nanotechnology Platform, open facility with advanced nanofabrication processing systems
• Collaborates with 13 leading Japanese institutions on NanotechJapan

Government Strategy:

• Nanotechnology and materials designated as prioritized area since the 2nd Science and Technology Basic Plan (2001-2005)
• Target: 30 trillion yen government R&D investment, 120 trillion yen combined with private sector
• Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) supports international research fellowships

China

Made in China 2025

• State-led industrial policy to make China dominant in global high-tech manufacturing
• Nanotechnology is a key component, embedded in the 13th Five-Year Plan
• China holds 464,000+ nanotechnology patents (43% of global total), more than the US, Japan, and South Korea
• Patent concentrations: building materials, coatings, catalytic chemistry, semiconductors, biomedicine

Key Initiatives:

• ChinaNANO conference series (2,500+ global experts)
• Integration of nanotech with AI and big data as strategic priority
• State-funded nanotechnology research institutes across major universities

Competitive Implications: China’s patent dominance in nanotech and its state-directed manufacturing strategy represent the primary competitive pressure driving U.S. programs like the Genesis Mission and CHIPS Act.

Other Notable Programs

• South Korea: Strong semiconductor and materials manufacturing programs through KIST and KAIST
• Singapore: A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research) materials research
• Germany: Fraunhofer Institutes for materials and manufacturing research
• UK: Catapult centres for advanced manufacturing (post-Brexit, now has Horizon Europe association)

10. Public-Private Partnership Models

Types of Agreements with National Labs

How CRADAs Work

1. Identify a lab and research area, contact the lab’s technology transfer or partnerships office
2. Define scope, lab and partner jointly develop research plan
3. Negotiate terms, IP rights, cost sharing, publication rights
4. Execute agreement, typically takes 2-6 months
5. Conduct research, lab provides personnel, facilities, equipment; partner provides funding and/or in-kind resources
6. Commercialize results, partner has first option on exclusive licenses

Key Benefit: CRADAs allow companies to leverage billions of dollars in existing lab infrastructure at a fraction of the cost of building equivalent capabilities.

DOE Boost Platform

A collaboration between 14 DOE labs and industry partner FedTech that nurtures ventures based on lab-developed innovations. This is essentially a lab-to-startup pipeline.

Small Business Vouchers (SBV) Program

Provides energy-focused small businesses direct access to national lab expertise and facilities, with simplified contracting.

Contact Points

• DOE Office of Technology Commercialization: https://www.energy.gov/technologycommercialization/
• Individual lab partnership offices (each lab has one)
• General inquiry: OfficeofTechnologyTransitions@hq.doe.gov

Key Link: Guide to Partnering with DOE National Labs: https://inl.gov/content/uploads/2016/05/Revised-Guide-Partnering-with-National-Labs-Final.pdf

11. University Research Centers

NSF Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs)

NSF currently supports 20 MRSECs across the country. These are major interdisciplinary centers that combine fundamental research with industry partnerships and workforce development.

Selected Centers:

NSF National Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI)

16 university-based sites providing access to nanoscale research facilities:

Top Ranked Programs (US News Global Rankings)

For nanoscience and nanotechnology:

1. Stanford University
2. MIT
3. UC Berkeley
4. Harvard University
5. UCLA

Other Notable Centers

• Rice University: Materials Science and NanoEngineering, strong in carbon nanomaterials
• Rensselaer Polytechnic: Lighting-Enabled Systems & Applications
• NC State: Center for Advanced Self-Powered Systems
• Boston University: Engineering Research Center in Cellular Metamaterials

12. Funding Mechanisms for Startups and Research Groups

Tier 1: Non-Dilutive Government Grants

CRITICAL WARNING: Congressional authorization for SBIR/STTR expired September 30, 2025. As of March 2026, agencies may not be able to award new SBIR/STTR funding until Congress reauthorizes the programs. Monitor sbir.gov for updates.

Tier 2: DOE-Specific Programs

Tier 3: Lab Access (No Cost for Published Research)

Tier 4: Partnership-Based

Tier 5: NSF Programs

Practical Advice for a Startup or Research Group

1. Start with user facilities: Free access to billion-dollar equipment through peer-reviewed proposals at DOE NSRCs, light sources, and neutron sources. This is the lowest-friction entry point.

2. Apply for SBIR/STTR (when reauthorized): Non-dilutive, no equity given up. DOE and NSF are the most relevant agencies for materials/manufacturing.

3. Use the TCF Open Voucher Call: $100K vouchers for technical assistance at national labs. Simple application, low barrier.

4. Join a Manufacturing USA institute: Membership gives access to collaborative R&D, shared facilities, and industry networks. Some have startup-tier pricing.

5. Pursue a CRADA: If you have a specific research collaboration in mind with a lab, this is the standard vehicle. Contact the lab’s partnerships office directly.

6. Target AMMTO FOAs: The Advanced Materials & Manufacturing Technologies Office regularly releases funding opportunities. Sign up for notifications at energy.gov.

7. Leverage EPSCoR: If based in an EPSCoR-eligible state, this provides additional funding pathways. Check eligibility at nsf.gov.

8. Connect through the Genesis Mission: The 24 collaboration agreements and 26 challenges represent a new, large-scale funding vector. Monitor DOE announcements for opportunities to participate.

13. Atomically Precise Manufacturing (APM) Landscape

This section is especially relevant to “matter compilation” concepts.

What APM Is

Atomically Precise Manufacturing is the production of materials, structures, devices, and finished goods where every atom is at its specified location relative to other atoms, with no defects, missing atoms, extra atoms, or incorrect atoms. APM is also known as molecular assembly, molecular manufacturing, or molecular nanotechnology.

Two Primary Methods

Identified at a 2015 DOE Advanced Manufacturing Office workshop in Berkeley:

1. Tip-based positional assembly: Using scanning probe microscopes to place individual atoms
2. Integrated nanosystems: Using molecular machine components for assembly

Government Programs Funding APM

DARPA Atoms to Product (A2P) — Details

The A2P program addresses the “assembly gap” between atomic-scale manufacturing and practical products. Notable performers:

• Boston University: Atomic calligraphy for tunable optical metamaterials
• PARC (Xerox): Micro-Assembly Printer for printing nanotech-enabled macroscopic objects
• Voxtel/Oregon State: DNA-mediated assembly using inkjet-based massively parallel process

Key Organizations

• Foresight Institute: Leading nonprofit promoting nanotechnology and APM. Publishes roadmaps, hosts conferences, awards Feynman Prizes.
• Zyvex Labs: Pioneer in APM, leads the DARPA-funded consortium. Focuses on hydrogen depassivation lithography for atomically precise silicon structures.
• NIST: Developing measurement standards and fabrication techniques for atom-scale devices.

Applications

• Near-theoretical-limit strength materials (order of magnitude improvement)
• Atomically precise catalysts
• Molecular electronic circuits
• Quantum computer circuits
• High-sensitivity molecular sensors
• Military applications (ultra-strong materials for defense)

The Matter Compiler Concept

The “matter compiler” concept, building arbitrary macroscale objects with atomic precision, remains a long-term research vision. Current APM work is focused on:

• Scaling from single-atom demonstrations to practical manufacturing
• Developing massively parallel assembly techniques
• Creating design tools for atomically precise structures
• Building the metrology infrastructure to verify atomic precision

Where the Field Stands (2026)

APM is transitioning from pure research to early-stage engineering. The key bottleneck is throughput, current methods can place atoms one at a time, but scaling to practical manufacturing rates requires fundamentally new parallel assembly approaches. This is where the DARPA A2P program and Zyvex consortium are focused.

Summary: Strategic Landscape Map

                        GOVERNMENT FUNDING LANDSCAPE
                     Advanced Manufacturing & Materials

    BASIC RESEARCH          APPLIED R&D           COMMERCIALIZATION
    ─────────────          ───────────           ─────────────────
    NSF MRSECs             DOE AMMTO FOAs        SBIR/STTR (paused)
    NSF NNCI               ARPA-E Programs       DOE TCF Vouchers
    DOE NSRCs              Manufacturing USA      DOE SBV Program
    DOE User Facilities    CHIPS Act R&D BAA      DOE Boost Platform
    NSF Convergence Acc.   Genesis Mission        Technology Licenses
                           CMI Hub                CRADAs / ACTs
                           DARPA A2P

    INTERNATIONAL                    CROSS-CUTTING
    ─────────────                    ─────────────
    EU Horizon Europe (EUR 14B)      Genesis Mission (overarching)
    Japan NIMS / JSPS                CHIPS Act ($52.7B total)
    China Made in China 2025         EPSCoR (underserved states)
    Germany Fraunhofer               DOE Early Career Awards

Top 5 Actionable Opportunities (March 2026)

1. Genesis Mission Alignment: The 26 challenges, especially “Designing Materials with Predictable Functionality” and “Reenvisioning Advanced Manufacturing,” represent the dominant new funding vector. Monitor DOE announcements for participation opportunities.

2. DOE NSRC User Facility Access: Free access to world-class nanoscale research facilities. Submit a proposal to any of the five centers.

3. CHIPS Act Rolling BAA: Active through September 2029, accepting proposals for semiconductor and advanced manufacturing R&D on a rolling basis.

4. AMMTO Funding Opportunities: Regular FOAs for advanced materials and manufacturing R&D. Sign up for notifications.

5. TCF Open Voucher Call: $100K vouchers for technical assistance at national labs, low-barrier entry point for startups.

Updated March 2026. Government programs and funding levels are subject to change based on congressional appropriations and executive priorities.