The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) announced that it has made offers and will award 2,500 Graduate Research Fellowships for the 2026-2027 academic year to outstanding graduate students across the United States who are pursuing research-based degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

(Funded by the National Institute of Standards and Technology)
Traditional computer chips have transformed our world by cramming billions of electronic devices into tiny silicon chips. NIST scientists have now made a major advance toward doing the same with light. To make their new chip, the researchers stacked specialized materials on top of each other, creating a high-tech “layer cake.” Called integrated photonic circuits, these chips can transform light, taking in one laser color and putting out a rainbow of colors. This advancement could lead to profound impacts on major industries, including: Quantum Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Navigation and Research.

(Funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation)
The U.S. National Science Foundation is investing up to $100 million to establish a nationwide network of open-access research facilities for quantum and nanoscale technologies, innovation, and workforce training. Through the new NSF National Quantum and Nanotechnology Infrastructure (NSF NQNI) program, NSF will support up to 16 sites over five years, providing students, researchers, and industry with access to state-of-the-art fabrication and characterization tools, instrumentation, and expertise. Together, the sites will form a shared national resource serving regional innovation ecosystems, including community colleges and small businesses.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced, at the Office of Science Advisory Committee meeting, investments in fundamental scientific research and technology development across a wide range of disciplines in the physical sciences. These awards, totaling over $320 million, will support 217 university and industry projects aimed at expanding the frontiers of knowledge and addressing critical science and technology needs. The awards span materials science, nuclear and particle physics, fusion energy, quantum information science, and chemical molecular sciences to study molecular interfaces.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced funding to advance the Genesis Mission’s efforts to tackle the nation’s most complex science and technology challenges. This includes a $293 million Request for Application (RFA),“The Genesis Mission: Transforming Science and Energy with AI.” Through this RFA, DOE invites interdisciplinary teams to leverage novel AI models and frameworks to address over 20 national challenges spanning advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, critical materials, nuclear energy, and quantum information science.