WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $137 million in funding for 80 projects in high energy physics. The scope of the research spans the full gamut of topics in experimental and theoretical high energy physics.
High energy physics explores what the world is made of and how it works at the smallest and largest scales, seeking new discoveries from the tiniest particles to the outer reaches of space. This quest inspires young minds, trains an expert workforce, and drives innovation that improves the nation’s health, wealth, and security.
“Our office is proud to continue to fund cutting edge research in diverse topics in high energy physics,” said Regina Rameika, DOE’s Office of Science Associate Director for the Office of High Energy Physics. “This research will allow us to make new advancements in our understanding of the universe.”
Projects include research on muon and neutrino science, quantum mechanics of black holes, dark matter, and several other topics within the energy, intensity, and cosmic frontiers. Selected projects include:
- The LZ (LUX -ZEPLIN) Experiment —Researchers from six universities will search for dark matter“>dark matter particles, which account for five times as much of the universe as ordinary matter described by the Standard Model, with the LZ Experiment at the Sanford Underground Laboratory, one mile below the Black Hills of South Dakota.
- The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN — Teams of researchers from 19 universities submitted proposals of high merit and high impact and will carry out research as the LHC resumes operations in July. The awarded scientists also hold roles and responsibilities in the ongoing high-luminosity detector upgrades, which will further enhance the scientific discovery potential at the LHC throughout this decade and into the next.
- The Short Baseline Neutrino program, including the ICARUS experiment — Intensity Frontier experiments at Fermilab are searching for signs of “sterile” neutrinos, hypothesized beyond-Standard-Model particles. Researchers at the University of Houston and Louisiana State University will take part in this Intensity Frontier program.
The projects were selected by competitive peer review under the DOE Funding Opportunity Announcement for FY 2023 Research Opportunities in High Energy Physics.
Total funding is $137 million for projects lasting up to 4 years in duration, with $48 million in fiscal year 2023 dollars and outyear funding contingent on congressional appropriations. The list of projects and more information can be found on the High Energy Physics program homepage.
Selection for award negotiations is not a commitment by DOE to issue an award or provide funding. Before funding is issued, DOE and the applicants will undergo a negotiation process, and DOE may cancel negotiations and rescind the selection for any reason during that time.
