MESSAGE FROM CAROL
Dear Colleagues:
What an exciting time it is. We are now able to safely welcome more people on site; at the same time, some of you are continuing to telework or work remotely, or you are working in a hybrid onsite/telework arrangement. As we move into this new way of working, with a mix of work arrangements, we will be exploring new ways to continue to build on the vibrant culture of collaboration and team science that is so important to our success.
Another exciting development is Secretary Granholm’s recent announcement of a sweeping reorganization of the Department of Energy, designed to create a dedicated pipeline for science and technology to be deployed efficiently to address the nation’s urgent energy and climate challenges. The reorganization, which establishes two undersecretaries, one focused on fundamental science and clean energy innovation and the other focused on deploying clean infrastructure, is indicative of the DOE’s commitment to the goal of achieving carbon-free electricity in the U.S. by 2035 and a net zero economy by 2050.
As part of the national lab system, we will be playing a critical role in achieving these goals as part of our mission-based work. I know you share my excitement in pursuing opportunities to take the lead in working to meet these important goals for our nation and in conducting our solution-inspired research.
Sincerely,
Carol Burns
Deputy Laboratory Director for Research
Chief Research Officer
***
STRATEGIC INITIATIVES
The National Energy Storage Summit (NESS): A Recipe for Accelerating Energy Storage in the U.S.
By all measures, the National Energy Storage Summit on March 8-9, led by Berkeley Lab, was a resounding success: 1,520 attendees. 104 speakers. Live endorsement by the Secretary of Energy. A livestream from space. Read about the two-day event which brought together and encouraged collaborations across many parts of the energy storage ecosystem.
STEWARDSHIP
Spotlight on Team Science: Collaboration Across the Lab
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit involved a great many people from the Lab’s research and non-research areas.
One of the Lab’s Stewardship values is team science, an approach pioneered by the Lab’s founder E.O. Lawrence. This value is important because innovative solutions to complex problems arise from a diversity of thought, approaches, experiences, and roles. Read about some collaborations between Research Areas and non-research functions at the Lab that honor the Lab’s team science tradition.
NEED TO KNOW
Financial Interest Disclosures Required for Non-Federal SPPs and CRADAs
To comply with updated DOE requirements, Berkeley Lab will be collecting financial interest disclosures for all personnel involved in the negotiation, approval, or performance of all non-federal Strategic Partnership Projects (SPPs) and Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs). Key changes include:
- The “CRADA COI Form” is being permanently replaced with the “CRADA and Non-Federal SPP Disclosure Form.”
- The new form is available now on eSRA website – Forms.
- This does not replace the requirement for principal investigators to complete a Form 700-U.
For more information, see the CRADA and non-Federal SPP Desk Guide, or contact coi@lbl.gov.
GOOD TO KNOW
Research Compliance Office (RCO) New Website
The Research Compliance Office (RCO) has a new website: rco.lbl.gov. The RCO covers research ethics, scientific conduct, and conflicts of interest and supports name changes on research outputs. A new page on research security includes guidance for those engaged in international collaborations.
Handbook for Including DEI Plans in Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs)
Beginning in 2021, the Department of Energy started requiring Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Plans in some of their Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs). Additionally, some principal investigators may opt to include DEI plans in other funding proposals and requests, even when this is not required.
This FOA Handbook, created by the IDEA office, provides the information you need to submit quality information for the diversity, equity, and inclusion section of FOAs. The IDEA office will also host an information session on May 3 at 11:00 a.m.
At-A-Glance Website
The Lab has created a new website that brings together frequently asked questions about a variety of topics. Bookmark this website which covers site access, safety, security, transportation and parking, Lab services, and cultural activities.
Sign Up for Virtual Field Trips on Energy Storage
Join Berkeley Lab’s Energy Storage Center and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory for a virtual field trip seminar series exploring the sometimes surprising role energy storage plays in the world around us. To learn more, sign up for upcoming virtual field trips, and watch event recordings, including the first virtual trip to the International Space Station and the second virtual trip to Bad River Band Reservation’s microgrid, visit secretlifeofenergystorage.lbl.gov.