H.R. 10574 — American Leadership in Fusion Act

This section expands the Department of Energy fusion energy sciences program to support demonstration of a sustained burning plasma, shifts primary responsibility from the Director of the Office of Science to the Secretary of Energy, and replaces prior materials research provisions with new requirements to develop fusion materials, blankets, and fuel cycles. It appropriates $800 million for FY2027 and authorizes $150 million annually for FY2027 through FY2031 for those activities (to $150 million from $50 million). It also appropriates $100 million for FY2027 to establish fusion technology supply chains and authorizes $50 million annually for FY2027 through FY2031 for inertial fusion research.

This section establishes a graded review process for private sector entities seeking to enter agreements with National Laboratories. It directs the Secretary of Energy to distinguish among new entities (standard review), previously reviewed entities proposing different work (expedited supplemental review), and entities with matching prior reviews (reliance on existing review without de novo examination), while limiting additional Department review to elevated-risk technology areas involving entities linked to countries of concern and requiring a centralized, updated tracking mechanism.

This section establishes the Office of Fusion within the Department of Energy, headed by an Assistant Secretary for Fusion Energy, to advance near-term and long-term fusion energy science and technology. It transfers all Fusion Energy Sciences programs from the Office of Science to the new office as of November 19, 2025. The office must manage public-private partnerships to accelerate commercial fusion deployment, with a goal to start construction of more than one fusion pilot power plant by December 31, 2028, and must coordinate with ARPA-E, the Office of Science, NNSA, and other agencies. It authorizes $75 million annually for general plasma science and applications for fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

This section authorizes the National Science Foundation Director and the Department of Energy Secretary to make awards to institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, labor organizations, National Laboratories, and consortia for research, development, and activities advancing education and workforce development in fusion sciences and related fields. It specifies allowable uses including industry-oriented curricula and stackable credentials, teacher training, hands-on access to National Laboratories and industry facilities, faculty hiring incentives, PreK–12 informal learning, internships, apprenticeships, and acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.

This section directs the Director to award funding to a consortium led by an institution of higher education or nonprofit organization to establish a Fusion Skilled Technical Workforce and STEM Education Coordination Hub. The consortium must include at least four higher education institutions, one of which is a community college, and may include National Laboratories, labor organizations, nonprofits, and private entities. The Hub operates for five years, renewable once after merit review, and may be terminated for underperformance. It serves as a national clearinghouse for fusion workforce programs, disseminates curricula and best practices, facilitates internships and employment pathways, supports recruitment of underrepresented students, develops educator training, collects domestic fusion workforce data, and coordinates with the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, Department of Education, and Department of Labor.

This section defines 14 terms for use throughout the title, including the Director of the National Science Foundation, Hispanic-serving institution, historically Black college and university, junior or community college, minority-serving institution, National Laboratory, nonprofit organization, PreK–12, Secretary of Energy, skilled technical workforce, STEM, and Tribal college or university.

This section authorizes appropriations of $30 million annually to the National Science Foundation and $15 million annually to the Department of Energy for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031 to carry out the Act.