DOE Releases National Fusion Science & Technology Roadmap

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released its Fusion Science & Technology (S&T) Roadmap, a comprehensive national strategy to accelerate the development and commercialization of fusion energy by the mid-2030s. 

The roadmap provides a coordinated framework for federal investment in fusion research and development, identifying the critical science and technology challenges that must be addressed to move fusion from the laboratory to the commercial grid. Developed with input from more than 600 researchers, engineers, and industry stakeholders, the plan defines key milestones and establishes DOE’s Build–Innovate–Grow strategy for advancing a robust and competitive U.S. fusion energy sector. 

By aligning public research infrastructure with private-sector innovation, DOE aims to create the conditions for fusion companies to scale up in the 2030s, helping to ensure that the next generation of clean, reliable power is made in America. The effort also supports broader federal priorities to strengthen the electric grid, rebuild critical energy supply chains, and expand domestic energy production. 

Achieving practical fusion energy will require advances in materials science, high-temperature systems, precision manufacturing, and plasma control, areas where mechanical engineers play essential roles in translating fundamental research into deployable technology. 

As DOE and its partners pursue this ambitious roadmap, the engineering community will be central to solving the complex thermal, structural, and systems challenges that will define the future of fusion power. Read the full Fusion S&T Roadmap at: https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2025-10/fusion-s%26t-roadmap-101625.pdf