Early Career Research Program (ECRP)

Background
The Early Career Research Program (ECRP) is administered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science (SC), which is the largest federal sponsor of basic research in the physical sciences. The program aims to support the development of individual research programs for outstanding scientists early in their careers, stimulating research careers in various scientific areas including Advanced Scientific Computing Research, Basic Energy Sciences, Biological and Environmental Research, Fusion Energy Sciences, High Energy Physics, Nuclear Physics, and Isotope Research and Development and Production.

The overarching mission of SC is to deliver scientific discoveries and tools that enhance understanding of nature while advancing energy, economic, and national security for the United States.

Grant Details
The ECRP invites applications for support in specific program areas: Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR), Basic Energy Sciences (BES), Biological and Environmental Research (BER), Fusion Energy Sciences (FES), High Energy Physics (HEP), Nuclear Physics (NP), and Isotope Research and Development and Production. The program supports hypothesis-driven research that addresses fundamental scientific questions within these domains. Each applicant must propose a project that aligns with one of the specified topic areas under these programs.

For example, ASCR focuses on challenges in high-performance computing algorithms; BES emphasizes materials chemistry; BER targets systems biology; FES includes fusion energy science; HEP covers experimental and theoretical physics; NP investigates nuclear phenomena; and DOE IP involves isotope production research.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include U.S. Institutions of Higher Education, DOE/NNSA National Laboratories, and institutions operating SC Scientific User Facilities. Applicants must be early-career scientists in positions with sufficient permanence to support independent research efforts. Specific eligibility criteria include being an untenured Assistant or Associate Professor at a U.S. academic institution or a full-time permanent employee at a national laboratory or user facility.

PIs must have received their Ph.D. within the last 10 years (after January 1, 2015) and cannot have previously received an ECRP award.

Period of Performance
The expected project period for awards under this program is five years.

Grant Value
The total available funding for this opportunity is approximately $145 million, which includes $79 million allocated for FY 2026 and $66 million for outyear funding. Individual awards are expected to be around $875,000 for institutions of higher education, while awards can reach up to $2.75 million for DOE/NNSA National Laboratories or SC Scientific User Facilities.

Place of Performance
The grant activities will primarily take place at U.S.-based institutions eligible under the program guidelines.