Office of Science AI policy
Disclosure requiredChecked November 9, 2026
In short
DOE's Office of Science applies a "fair-use" approach to generative AI. You may use AI tools to help present your own intellectual work, but you must disclose any AI use in the application unless the tool was used only to edit your own original draft. A project narrative that is not your own work, including a machine-generated one, may count as research misconduct.
For applicants
- Office of Science allows generative AI to support you in presenting your own intellectual work in an application (a "fair-use" approach).[1]
- You must disclose the use of any AI tools in the application, unless the tools were used only to edit an original draft.[1]
- The Project Narrative must be the intellectual work of the proposed researchers. Submitting a narrative that is not their work, including a machine-generated narrative, may be treated as academic dishonesty or research misconduct.[1]
Sources
- [1]DE-FOA-0003665: FY 2027 Continuation of Solicitation for the Office of Science Financial Assistance Program, NOFO Part 1 (Version 4.1)
U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, September 30, 2026
“SC will apply a “fair-use” concept regarding use of generative artificial intelligence to support investigators’ efforts in presenting their intellectual work in an application.”
“applicants must disclose the use of any AI tools in applications, unless the tools were used solely for editing an original draft.”
“Submitting a Project Narrative that is not the work of the proposed researchers, including machine-generated Project Narratives, may constitute academic dishonesty or research misconduct.”
This page summarizes published guidance and is not legal advice. Policies change, and a specific solicitation can add its own rules, so confirm against the funding announcement before you apply. See every funder's AI policy.