Funding Challenges
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory funded focus fusion work up to 2001 via the Advanced Space Propulsion program (same focus fusion science, different application). In 2001, the ASP was defunded and Focus Fusion was one of many programs left to fend for itself. Since then, we have applied for several government grants, without much success. We also find ourselves ineligible for a host of grants due to our "nuclear" status.
This section looks at our history of government funding, our attempts to change the rules (to pass laws that define "aneutronic fusion" as "renewable energy") and the emerging possibility of direct government action through ARPA-E and the stimulus plan.
Posts in this category
NASA Funding Effort
FFS Executive Director Eric J. Lerner is currently seeking NASA funding for focus fusion research.
NIST ATP Grant Declined at Second Gate
The NIST Advanced Technology Program announced its grant awards for 2004. Focus fusion passed the first gate which was based on technical merit. Unfortunately, we did not receive an award at the second gate which was based on commercialization potential. The feedback from the program did not indicate that they felt there was no commercialization potential, just that we had not made a strong enough case in our grant proposal.
ATP Grant Application with GMU
Research work on Focus Fusion included efforts to develop an Advanced Technology Program (ATP) grant application with GMU. The application focused on the DPF as a source of X-rays. The collaboration with GMU was necessary as university partners are an asset in applying for this type of grant.
