Biosciences Area LDRD Information

Overview

These webpages provide guidance, application details, and timelines for the Biosciences Area’s Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) submission process. The LDRD program encourages innovation, creativity, originality, and quality to keep Berkeley Lab’s research activities and staff at the forefront of science and technology.

LDRD projects should have one or more of the following characteristics:

Advanced study of hypotheses, concepts, or innovative approaches to scientific or technical problems.
Experiments and analysis directed towards “proof of principle” or early determination of the utility of new scientific ideas, technical concepts, or devices.
Conception and preliminary technical analyses of experimental facilities or devices.

As outlined in the Call for Proposals, the Lab’s FY2026 LDRD program will have three funding tracks:

Successful proposals will align with some or all of the following:

Biosciences Area Strategy (10-year Strategic Plan 2024–2034)
DOE BER Biological Systems Science Division (BSSD) Strategic Plan
National Academies reports
Other strategic and forward looking documents

Project Periods

A standard LDRD is 24 months; projects less than 24 months are encouraged!
Any requests for a standard LDRD beyond 24 months (up to 36 months) will need to qualify for exception and will be reviewed as a new LDRD.
An Early Career LDRD can be up to 36 months.

Organizational Stewardship Statement

Successful proposals must include thoughtful Organizational Stewardship plans. The statement should describe:

Past experiences and activities, such as:
- Mentorship of students, post-docs, staff or researchers from underrepresented groups.
- Service on a committee or board that focused on diversity, equity, and/or inclusion, describe the committee’s accomplishments and your role in helping achieve them.
- Other activities such as a specific conference or organization, student retention or outreach activity, course development to reach a specific group, outreach to a local school, or work with a diversity-related non-profit.
Future plans, including:
- The role you envision having and what you would like to accomplish in the next two years.
- Who would you like to engage in your efforts, and how would you plan to engage them.
- Be as specific as possible, but realistic in terms of your effort and time commitment.
Reflect the diversity of California, as well as meet the educational needs and interests of Berkeley Lab’s diverse population.