- About Us
- Our History
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Overview
Our origins as the first large-scale research facility in the north-eastern United States.
Discoveries
Brookhaven is home to discoveries that led to seven Nobel Prizes.
Unique Facilities
The Lab was conceived to design, construct and operate large scientific research machines.
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- Awards
- Leadership Team
- Brookhaven Science Associates
- Stakeholder Relations
- External Code of Conduct
At the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory, everyone has a role in accelerating pathways to scientific discovery and technological innovation that transform the world. Primarily supported by DOE's Office of Science, Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and countless advances in science and technology since being founded in 1947.
The Laboratory's 3,000 staff members lead and support research teams that address the DOE mission to ensure the nation's security and prosperity by addressing its energy, environmental, and nuclear challenges through transformative science and technology solutions.
Brookhaven Lab’s current initiatives are:
- Understanding the building blocks of the universe
- Leading in discovery with light-enabled science
- Developing next-generation information science and capabilities
- Advancing energy security and essential resources independence
Brookhaven Lab staff are entrusted by DOE on the nation's behalf to safely build and operate facilities that house unique tools used by interdisciplinary teams comprising researchers from Brookhaven as well as those from other national labs, academia, and industry.
In fiscal year 2024, the Laboratory attracted more than 7,200 facility users and guest researchers from across the United States and around the world. The Laboratory offers robust workforce development and science education programs for students and educators that draw more than 30,000 participants annually.
Management & Leadership
Brookhaven Lab is one of 10 national laboratories overseen and primarily funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science. Brookhaven Lab is managed for the Office of Science by Brookhaven Science Associates, a partnership between Stony Brook University and Battelle, and six core universities: Columbia, Cornell, Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton, and Yale. Meet the Lab leadership team.
Partner with Us
We work with federal agencies and non-federal customers through strategic partnership projects. We also collaborate with researchers, academic institutions, industry, students, teachers, and our neighbors.
Ways to partner with BrookhavenBrookhaven and the Community
Economic Contributions
Brookhaven Lab is the only multidisciplinary national laboratory in the northeastern United States. We are one of New York State’s largest centers of scientific research, and we place special emphasis on growing the technology-based elements of the Long Island economy. Economic competitiveness depends on its capacity for innovation. Brookhaven is a unique and valuable resource—as a major science-based enterprise and as a source of discoveries that drive entrepreneurs and innovators.
Sustainability
We work to protect the environment, conserve resources, and prevent pollution in all facets of our research and operations. We are committed to managing our programs in a manner that protects the local ecosystem and public health. Read more about our sustainability efforts.
Visit Us
Brookhaven Lab opens its doors for the community to explore cutting-edge scientific facilities during open-house tours. We host public lectures, educational science competitions, and more. Find out more about visiting us.
Workforce Development and Science Education
Brookhaven Lab offers extensive opportunities to instill a passion for discovery and develop the nation's future generations of scientists and engineers. We offer a variety of programs for students in grades 1 to 12 and college. We offer professional development programs for teachers and professors, too. Find out more about our programs.
History and Awards
At the site of the U.S. Army’s former Camp Upton, Brookhaven Lab opened in 1947 with a post-World War II desire to explore peaceful applications for atomic energy. Visionary scientists began their work at groundbreaking science facilities, including the world's first nuclear reactor for peacetime research and new particle accelerators. Scientists at Brookhaven have discovered subatomic particles, new forms of matter, and pioneered technology that fuels leading experimental programs around the world.
Our research has also led to life-saving medical imaging techniques that have revolutionized diagnosis and treatment of disease.
Brookhaven Lab is home to seven Nobel Prizes, as well as scientists recognized with National Medals of Science, Enrico Fermi Awards, Wolf Foundation Prizes, 36 R&D 100 awards (the "Oscars of Innovation"), and many other recognitions.
AwardsHistory of Discovery
BNL's Raymond Davis Jr. receives the Nobel prize.
Brookhaven Science Associates
Brookhaven Science Associates manages and operates Brookhaven National Laboratory on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University. | More
