The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the release of its Fusion Science and Technology (FS&T) Roadmap, which sets out a national plan to speed up the development and commercialization of fusion energy. The roadmap aims to deliver commercial fusion power to the electric grid by the mid-2030s through the Build–Innovate–Grow strategy, which coordinates public investment and private sector innovation.
The DOE’s announcement supports President Trump’s Executive Order focused on expanding domestic energy production and restoring U.S. energy dominance. The department says that accelerating the move toward commercial fusion power will help strengthen the nation’s electric grid, rebuild supply chains, and secure a future of reliable American-made energy.
“The Fusion Science and Technology Roadmap brings unprecedented coordination across America’s fusion enterprise,” said Energy Department Under Secretary for Science Dr. Darío Gil. “For the first time, DOE, industry, and our National Labs will be aligned with a shared purpose—to accelerate the path to commercial fusion power and strengthen America’s leadership in energy innovation. Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, the Department is streamlining the full strength of the U.S. scientific and industrial base to deliver fusion energy faster than ever before.”
The roadmap was introduced during a series of U.S. Fusion Energy Enterprise Events in Washington, D.C., which gathered leaders from government, industry, and academia to discuss the future of fusion energy in the United States.
Input from over 600 scientists, engineers, and industry representatives helped shape the roadmap. It identifies key research areas and technology gaps that need to be addressed to build a Fusion Pilot Plant and maintain U.S. leadership in the global fusion industry.
The FS&T Roadmap focuses on three main objectives: building critical infrastructure to address technology gaps, encouraging innovation through research and advanced computing, and growing the U.S. fusion sector via public-private partnerships, regional manufacturing centers, and workforce development.
“Fusion is real, near, and ready for coordinated action,” said Jean Paul Allain, Associate Director of DOE’s Office of Fusion Energy Sciences. “This roadmap provides the strategic foundation for building the scientific, technical, and industrial base needed to ensure American leadership in commercial fusion on an ambitious timeline.”
With over $9 billion in private investment already supporting demonstration projects and prototype reactors, the DOE is leading a national effort to address remaining technical challenges in areas such as materials, plasma systems, fuel cycles, and plant engineering. The roadmap details plans for investment in six core areas: structural materials, plasma-facing components, confinement systems, fuel cycle, blankets, and plant engineering and integration.
The roadmap also highlights the importance of public-private partnerships and collaboration with industry to achieve its milestones by the 2030s. However, it notes that future funding will depend on Congressional appropriations and does not commit the DOE to specific funding levels.
The full Fusion Science & Technology Roadmap is available at https://www.energy.gov/fusion-energy.
