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Research lab · United States

Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory

HQ Princeton

Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory is a DOE national laboratory located on Princeton University’s Forrestal Campus in New Jersey.

Research labFusion energy
Website

About Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory

Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory's primary mission is plasma physics and fusion energy science, including magnetic confinement, plasma theory, and advanced computational modeling. PPPL also applies its expertise to materials, microelectronics, and related technologies. DOE sponsors the laboratory; Princeton University manages and operates it under contract. PPPL combines plasma theory, experiment, computation, engineering, and advanced technology. Its National Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade is a spherical tokamak research facility, and the lab works with a broad research community on plasma behavior and pathways toward fusion energy. The lab also applies plasma expertise to other areas of science and technology.

Institution
DOE national laboratory
Sponsor
U.S. Department of Energy
Operator
The Trustees of Princeton University

Funding and financial context

Total laboratory operating costs · FY2022

$151.3 million

PPPL’s FY2022 fact sheet reports total laboratory operating costs; this historical amount is not a current budget or contract ceiling.

At a Glance ↗

Operating contracts

The Trustees of Princeton University · DE-AC02-09CH11466

Current term ends
Mar 31, 2032

PPPL Modification 0533, dated August 4, 2026, extends the contract through March 31, 2032. This supersedes the earlier DOE roster end date; no additional maximum option date is identified in the retained current source.

PART I SECTION B SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ↗

Capabilities1

  • Fusion energy
    Researcher
    Laboratory research capability; not a claim of a commercial product or fielded system.
    —Reported

Maturity and TRL describe this organization's work; the field-wide maturity is on each technology's page.

Supply Chain1 facility

Facilities1

  • National Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade
    Lab · Princeton, New Jersey, United States
    Operating
    Reported

Hiring Observations

Official careers and open roles ↗

Use the official careers site for current openings and application requirements.

Sources8

Profile6

  1. 1
    Government recordJobs at the National Labs | Department of Energy

    Supports Organization

  2. 2
    Government recordNational Laboratories | Department of Energy

    U.S. Department of Energy · Supports Organization · description, Organization · institution.operator

    “The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory dedicated to fusion energy science, basic sciences, and advanced technology.”
  3. 3
    Government recordDOE/NNSA Site Facility Management Contracts - October 2026

    Supports Organization

  4. 4
    Government recordOfficial laboratory website

    Supports Organization

  5. 5
    Government recordAt a Glance

    Supports Organization

  6. 6
    Government recordPART I SECTION B SUPPLIES OR SERVICES AND PRICES/COSTS TABLE OF CONTENTS

    Supports Organization

Technologies1

  1. 7
    CompanyOfficial research program

    Supports Organization, Organization · research, Organization technology · research

    “We’re leaders in the science and engineering behind the development of fusion”

Supply chain1

  1. 8
    CompanyNational Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade | Official laboratory

    Supports Facility · facility

    “The National Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade (NSTX-U) is the largest spherical tokamak in the U.S.”

Each fact on this page is attached to the sources that support it. Archived copies are linked when we keep one.