The DOE Laboratory System
Together, the 17 DOE laboratories comprise a preeminent federal research system, providing the Nation with strategic scientific and technological capabilities. The laboratories:
- Execute long-term government scientific and technological missions, often with complex security, safety, project management, or other operational challenges
- Develop unique, often multidisciplinary, scientific capabilities beyond the scope of academic and industrial institutions, to benefit the Nation’s researchers and national strategic priorities
- Develop and sustain critical scientific and technical capabilities to which the government requires assured access
- The Office of Science is the steward of 10 of the 17 DOE laboratories; these 10 laboratories provide essential support to the missions of the SC science programs
DOE Office of Science National Laboratories

Each of the 17 DOE National Laboratories is stewarded by a program office in the Department. The Office of Science stewards 10 of these, ranging from single-purpose laboratories like Fermilab to broad, multiprogram laboratories such as Argonne.
Image courtesy of the Department of Energy Office of Science