SLAC/Stanford Professor Zhi-Xun Shen and SLAC staff scientist Patrick Kirchmann
SLAC + Stanford + Department of Energy

A lab built on core partnerships

SLAC owes its identity, and in fact its very existence, to our essential and longstanding connections with the Department of Energy and Stanford University. SLAC is one of 17 DOE national laboratories – the most comprehensive research system of its kind in the world. Stanford was intimately involved in the founding of the lab in 1962, and it operates SLAC for the DOE Office of Science. Our ties with Stanford have grown over the years to include a number of joint institutes and facilities and many joint research efforts. These relationships and continuing support from DOE are vital to our mission and to the growth and direction of our research programs.

 Department of Energy headquarters building

A government lab

Department of Energy

Within DOE we are part of the Office of Science – the nation’s biggest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences. A major part of the office’s mission is supporting the development, construction and operation of unique, open-access scientific user facilities. SLAC is home to three of those facilities: the LCLS X-ray free-electron laser, SSRL synchrotron and FACET-II test facility for next-generation accelerator technologies. Together they host thousands of researchers from around the world each year.

As a multipurpose national lab, we are expanding our programs to address a wide range of scientific challenges within the DOE mission. Collaborating with our sister labs is crucial to the success of many of our key projects. 

Stanford’s partnership with SLAC and DOE is a visionary framework for producing breakthrough science and technology that is critical to success, and one we’re really proud of.”

Persis Drell Provost Emerita, Stanford University Headshot of Persis Drell

Stanford University

Operated by Stanford

SLAC sits on Stanford land, our people are Stanford employees and our faculty teach and mentor Stanford graduate students, helping to train the next generation. Our combined intellectual power fuels exciting collaborations between scientists and engineers from a wide range of fields.

Stanford has made numerous investments in the lab and provides key services that make our operations more efficient. SLAC also plays a key role for Stanford, which benefits from our deep expertise in key areas and from our ability to develop and run large-scale research facilities.

Cryomodule with signatures of builders
Cryomodule delivery, with signatures from its builders at Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. (Olivier Bonin/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory)
Partnerships

Partner with us

Where research happens
SLAC is known for building big sophisticated machines for teasing out the secrets of the universe. They give researchers new eyes on the world...
Focal plane of the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) camera.
our partnerships
Stanford University operates SLAC for the DOE Office of Science. Our strong ties with Stanford go all the way back to the lab’s founding...
Sunrise at SLAC
Join our mission

As one of 17 Department of Energy national laboratories, SLAC conducts research in a wide range of scientific areas and develops technologies in support of national priorities.

Staff engineer Bruis van Vlijmen demonstrates how he works in the Battery Informatics Lab at SLAC
Dig deeper

SLAC news on partnership topics

News Feature

Ultrafast electrons at SLAC’s LCLS facility resolved the structural changes in a light-activated molecule to determine which simulations work best. 

Graphic representation of several molecules floating through space, circle of papers representing scientific results
News Feature

He met with SLAC staff and toured the lab’s cutting-edge facilities, diving into world-leading research in X-ray and ultrafast science, artificial intelligence, astrophysics and...

Secretary Wright Visit LCLS
News Feature

In this Q&A, Arianna Gleason discusses the technologies needed to make commercialized fusion energy a reality and how SLAC is advancing this energy frontier. 

Headshot of Arianna Gleason with graphic representation of a laser shot
News Feature

Ultrafast electrons at SLAC’s LCLS facility resolved the structural changes in a light-activated molecule to determine which simulations work best. 

Graphic representation of several molecules floating through space, circle of papers representing scientific results
News Feature

He met with SLAC staff and toured the lab’s cutting-edge facilities, diving into world-leading research in X-ray and ultrafast science, artificial intelligence, astrophysics and...

Secretary Wright Visit LCLS
News Feature

In this Q&A, Arianna Gleason discusses the technologies needed to make commercialized fusion energy a reality and how SLAC is advancing this energy frontier. 

Headshot of Arianna Gleason with graphic representation of a laser shot
News Brief

As a member of a collaborative team led by General Atomics, SLAC will help bridge basic research programs with the growing fusion industry. 

Graphic representation of lasers hitting a fusion fuel target in a fusion target chamber
News Feature

SLAC partners with five national labs and eight universities seeking to increase the supply diversity of EV batteries and relieve supply chain concerns.

SLAC-Stanford Battery Center
News Feature

An energy systems engineer, Cezar helps bridge advanced energy research and applications.

Portrait of Gustavo Cezar