This page provides information for all opportunities to propose experimental studies to be awarded runtime during a DIII-D experimental campaign. This page is regularly updated as new opportunities to propose projects to be performed at DIII-D become available and includes information on the annual Research Opportunity Forum to propose fusion research projects and information for opportunities to propose Frontiers Science projects.

The purpose of the DIII-D Research Opportunity Forum (ROF) is to solicit community input on DIII-D experimental priorities and goals and for the community to then submit experimental proposals to achieve those goals using a proposal engine directly (for current users) or via a series of online forms (for non-users). Further details on the new submission process are included below. All interested researchers are encouraged to become DIII-D users, following the processes listed here.

Starting in FY2026, the DIII-D program transitioned to a new structure, called Tokamak Research (TR), described here. The TR structure includes topical research areas that are more directly managed by scientific leaders who have an obligation to advance the goals of the US Department of Energy Fusion Science and Technology Roadmap. The topical area structure and leaders are described in this document and website. The leaders of topical areas can also be contacted through the DIII-D contact form. Proposals submitted for review are strongest if they have been discussed with the leadership of the relevant topical area and if they communicate directly how they will advance the DOE Roadmap.

The new emphasis of the research program on the Tokamak Research Topical Areas and the connection to the US DOE Roadmap are described in the DIII-D Run-Time Guidance for FY2027.

Please note that all DIII-D experimental proposals, except those for Frontiers Science and the Director’s Reserve, will be subject to submission through the Proposal Engine, as detailed below.

The DIII-D National Fusion Facility invites researchers from universities, national laboratories, industry, and international partner institutions to participate in the evolving U.S. TR program. DIII-D is a cornerstone of the U.S. fusion research enterprise that operates within a broader, coordinated tokamak ecosystem that integrates domestic and international experimental facilities, theory and simulation, data science, AI/ML, and fusion technology development.

The DIII-D facility continues to provide unique capabilities for high-performance tokamak research, advanced plasma control, divertor and plasma-material interaction studies, disruption mitigation, energetic particle physics, integrated scenario development, and validation of predictive simulation tools. These capabilities are complemented by a comprehensive suite of diagnostics and ongoing investments in advanced control, data infrastructure, and enabling technologies that support both national and international research activities.

Researchers are encouraged to work with topical leads to develop plans for integrated activities that span multiple topical areas and leverage complementary capabilities across facilities. Cross-disciplinary collaborations combining experiment, theory, computation, diagnostics, controls, and technology development are particularly encouraged.

Research on DIII-D in 2027 will enter an exciting new chapter with the commissioning of the Chimney Divertor, a new closed upper divertor featuring mid-leg pumping to improve core-edge integration. Toward the end of the campaign, up to 5.4 MW of gyrotron power is expected to become available, providing enhanced capability across the program. Graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, early-career scientists, and industrial researchers are strongly encouraged to participate and assume leadership roles within research teams and experimental campaigns.

The 13-week experimental campaign in 2027 will provide a vehicle for recipients of DOE funding awards under the DOE Fusion Energy Science’s TR structure, as well fusion industry users, theory and international partners, to advance the fusion commercialization agenda and address the DOE Fusion Science & Technology Roadmap.

Submission of New DIII-D Experimental Proposals

Existing DIII-D users can learn more about the FY2027 ROF process and experimental proposal submission here and should submit new proposals for runtime on DIII-D directly via the Proposal Engine.

Otherwise, researchers who are not current DIII-D users with an idea for an experiment on DIII-D should complete the below steps to propose to receive runtime on DIII-D:
1. Download the proposal template.
2. Complete the proposal.
3. Fill out this form indicating the machine setup.
4. Email sharepoint@fusion.gat.com your completed proposal, with the title of the proposal listed in step 3 as the subject of the email. This will allow the proposal to be put into the DIII-D Proposal Engine.

Researchers are encouraged to become DIII-D users to best engage with the scientific program.

If you have questions about the process, please contact DIII-D at contact@d3dfusion.org. If you experience technical difficulties, please contact Fusion User Support at fus@fusion.gat.com.

Broad Overview of the Planning Process and Timeline – *Updated 10/23/2026*

Sept. 14, 2026 – Run Time Guidance issued for FY27 campaign
Oct. 16, 2026 – Proposal Engine opens with updated ROF categories
Nov. 17, 2026 – Submission deadline for new ROF proposals
Late Nov. 2026 – Education Committee makes PhD student recommendations
Nov. 23-Dec. 2, 2026 – ROF breakout sessions to prioritize proposals
Dec. 23, 2026 – Run Time Allocation announced
Jan. 8, 2027 – All Fenstermacher Questions must have finalized answers to the MP team
Feb.  2027 – Run Coordinator Team issues experimental schedule
Feb.  2027 – Shot plan reviews completed, MPs submitted for final review
April 26-Aug. 31, 2027 – Spring experimental campaign

Proposals are currently being reviewed for Frontiers Science projects to be run during the 2027 campaign. The DIII-D tokamak, which is both highly flexible and extensively diagnosed, offers researchers a chance to investigate questions that advance scientific understanding and engineering for Frontiers Science.

Detailed information including upcoming Call for Proposals for Frontiers Science can be found here.