A Legacy of Discovery, A Vision for the Future
The Berkeley Lab Physical Sciences Area has always been driven by curiosity, creativity, and collaboration to understand the fundamental nature of the universe and to develop technologies that benefit science and society. Since Ernest Lawrence’s invention of the cyclotron in 1929, our scientists have transformed how discovery happens, laying the foundations for nuclear science, particle physics, modern accelerators and detectors, while scaling up from tabletop devices to global experiments.
Today, the world is once again on the cusp of scientific transformation driven by quantum science, artificial intelligence, and other transformative technologies. And we’re ready.
The 2025 Physical Sciences Strategic Plan lays out our vision for the next ten years, building on recent accomplishments and established experience. We reflect on major advances made since our last plan in 2018—including the launch of world-leading dark matter and dark energy experiments, pioneering detector technologies, and breakthroughs in compact accelerators and quantum sensing. We also celebrate the formation of a refreshed leadership team across all four divisions—Physics, Nuclear Science, Accelerator Technology & Applied Physics, and Engineering—who are shaping a strong, dynamic culture of innovation.
Fueling the Future: Our Strategic Approach to Physical Sciences
Strategic planning in Berkeley Lab’s Physical Sciences Area is a dynamic and collaborative process that drives discovery across a broad spectrum of research, technology development, and major facility construction. Our dynamic framework begins with grassroots innovation, fueled by early career researchers with bold new ideas. New research concepts are refined through collaborative discussions and careful planning to ensure alignment with the Department of Energy’s mission to achieve significant national impact where our leadership excels.
Our planning process doesn’t happen in isolation. We are active contributors and leaders in the national community planning efforts that shape the future of our scientific disciplines. Our programs align closely with recent strategic frameworks, including the 2023 Particle Physics Project Prioritization Panel (P5) Report, Exploring the Quantum Universe: Pathways to Innovation and Discovery in Particle Physics, the 2023 U.S. Nuclear Science Long Range Plan, A New Era of Discovery, and the 2020 Report of the Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee, Powering the Future. These decadal plans, informed by broad community input, provide a clear roadmap for where the nation and our programs are headed. Our planning also addresses technology with broad relevance, including light sources and detectors for basic energy research, nuclear security, and societal applications.
Over the next five years, we’ll advance cutting-edge experiments probing dark matter, dark energy, neutrinos, the Higgs boson, heavy element formation, alongside progress in accelerator science. Beyond ten years, we’re strategically investing in R&D for the next generation of accelerators and flagship experiments in nuclear physics, particle physics, and cosmology. Our long-term vision ensures that today’s experiments, discoveries, and planning lay the groundwork for transformative discoveries that will shape the future of physical sciences.
Invitation to Explore Our Journey into Scientific Discovery
We invite you to explore this publication to learn more about the Physical Sciences Area’s research, projects, capabilities, and the groundbreaking scientific discoveries we hope to achieve.
Natalie Roe, Associate Laboratory Director For Physical Sciences
Cameron Geddes, Director, Accelerator Technology & Applied Physics (ATAP) Division
Daniela Leitner, Director, Engineering Division
Reiner Kruecken, Director, Nuclear Science Division
Nathalie Palanque-Delabrouille, Director, Physics Division
Release date: June 17, 2025
