Q&A
DON'T MAKE ANY TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS BEFORE RECEIVING SITE ACCESS APPROVAL
About the Venue
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What is Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL)?
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), also known as “Berkeley Lab,” is a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory managed by the University of California. Founded in 1931 by Ernest Orlando Lawrence, it has a long history of scientific discovery and is home to 16 Nobel laureates over its history. The lab sits in the hills above the UC Berkeley campus and conducts research across a wide range of fields including energy, materials science, computing, biosciences, and physics. It is a federally funded research and development center, which means access to the site requires some security procedures (see below). -
What is the Molecular Foundry, and what kind of research happens there?
The Molecular Foundry is a U.S. Department of Energy-funded nanoscience user facility located at LBNL. It provides researchers from around the world with access to state-of-the-art tools and expertise for the design, synthesis, and characterization of nanoscale materials. Research at the Foundry spans areas such as imaging and manipulation of matter at the nanoscale, inorganic and organic nanostructures, biological nanoscience, and theory and simulation. As a user facility, it is specifically designed to support visiting scientists and students. -
Is LBNL on the UC Berkeley campus? How are they related?
LBNL is not on the UC Berkeley campus, but the two are closely connected. The lab is located in the hills directly above campus and is managed by the University of California. Many LBNL researchers hold joint appointments with UC Berkeley, and there is a strong collaborative relationship between the two institutions. The two sites are about a 10–15 minute drive apart, or a short uphill walk/shuttle ride from the campus.
LBNL is located at 1 Cyclotron Rd, Berkeley, CA 94720, see map for details. -
How do I get to LBNL from downtown Berkeley / San Francisco / the airport?
The closest major airport is San Francisco International Airport (SFO), followed by Oakland International Airport (OAK), which is closer and often more convenient. From either airport, you can reach Berkeley by BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit). From downtown Berkeley, LBNL operates a free shuttle that departs from the Downtown Berkeley BART station and stops at several locations on the LBNL site. We recommend checking the LBNL shuttle schedule before you travel. -
Is there parking available on site?
On-site parking is available, but vehicles must be registered for site access in advance. Please contact Suksham Barun (sbarun@lbl.gov) by the end of business on Thursday, 23rd July, 2026, to arrange access for your vehicle. Participants are strongly encouraged to use the LBNL shuttle buses whenever possible. -
Is it permitted to take a taxi or Uber/Lyft directly to the site, e.g. the guest house?
Yes, as long as the driver is only shuttling an approved participant for drop-off. The driver needs a valid driver’s license. They will be permitted on-site for the limited purpose of conducting the drop-off. The driver needs to enter through the Blackberry gate. Walking to building 66 from the Blackberry gate takes about ~15 min. -
Is the Molecular Foundry, building 67, the location where participants will go to for registration?
No, please arrive at building 66, adjacent to the Molecular Foundry for registration at 8:30 am on Monday July 27th. The welcome & morning sessions will also take place in this building. -
NOTE: you can only enter through Blackberry gate although there are other gates but these are not for visitors.
Access & Security
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Do international participants need special clearance or a visa to enter LBNL?
As a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory, LBNL has security requirements for site access. All participants need clearance and a written confirmation about approved site access. -
What ID do I need to bring to access the site?
All participants must bring a valid government-issued real ID. International participants should bring their passport. -
Are participants required to carry their ID with them throughout the day?
No. Your real ID is needed at the Blackberry gate when you enter the LBNL site.
Logistics & Practical Info
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Where should I stay? Are there recommended hotels or housing near LBNL or UC Berkeley?
Please find recommendations under the Accommodations tab on the website. -
Is there shuttle service to reach LBNL?
Yes! LBNL operates a free shuttle service that connects the Downtown Berkeley BART station to the lab. It runs frequently throughout the day. We recommend checking the current shuttle schedule in advance. -
What should I wear? Are there dress code or safety requirements in the labs?
Yes, for any hands-on sessions in lab spaces, closed-toe shoes and long pants are required. Depending on the specific lab areas visited, additional personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses and lab coats will be provided on site. -
Will meals be provided, or are there cafeteria/dining options on site?
Breakfast and lunch are provided during the summer school. LBNL’s cafeteria is closed for construction. There are also a variety of restaurants and cafes in downtown Berkeley, a short shuttle ride away. -
Is there Wi-Fi available for participants?
Yes, Wi-Fi will be available for all participants: Lbnl-open or eduroam. -
Is it recommended to bring a personal laptop? Should participants pre-install anything before arriving?
Yes, a personal laptop is required to follow the tutorials. We will mostly use Google Colab and participants will require a Google account to open, run, and save notebooks. If they don’t already have one, creating a Google account is free and straightforward at accounts.google.com. You will also need an ORCID iD, a free and permanent digital identifier. It takes about 2 minutes to set up here: orcid.org/register. -
Is there any material available to review before the summer school?
Yes, please check the summer school website. We are planning to add a resources tab with reading materials some time in July.
For International Participants
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Do I need a visa to attend, and if so, what type?
Most visitors to the Lab will come here for a short period using WB ESTA or B-1 status. They may not use any tourist-related category, like WT or B-2. If the individual happens to hold some other visa type, then they may use that, as long as it is in line with the purpose and intent of their visit to the US. -
Can the organizers provide an invitation letter for visa applications?
Yes. Please contact Suksham Barun at sbarun@lbl.gov. -
What is the nearest international airport, and how do I get from the airport to LBNL/Berkeley?
The closest major airport is San Francisco International Airport (SFO), followed by Oakland International Airport (OAK), which is closer and often more convenient. From either airport, you can reach Berkeley by BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit). From downtown Berkeley, LBNL operates a free shuttle that departs from the Downtown Berkeley BART station and stops at several locations on the LBNL site. We recommend checking the LBNL shuttle schedule before you travel.
About the Program
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What background knowledge is expected of participants?
No coding skills or specific academic background is required. -
Will there be hands-on lab sessions, and if so, what equipment will we use?
Yes, the school includes hands-on sessions in the facilities of the Molecular Foundry and the National Center for Electron Microscopy giving participants direct experience with world-class nanoscience instrumentation. More details about specific sessions will be provided in the program schedule. -
Will lecture slides or materials be made available after sessions?
Some materials will be made available before and during the sessions. -
Is there a certificate of participation?
Please reach out to the organizers if a certificate is needed. -
Will sessions be recorded?
No.
Health, Safety & Accessibility
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Are there any required safety trainings before accessing lab spaces?
LBNL takes safety very seriously. A safety package will be sent out to participants before the summer school starts and needs to be signed & returned before people are allowed to go into the labs. -
What are the accessibility accommodations available?
If you have specific accessibility needs, please contact Suksham Barun at sbarun@lbl.gov as early as possible so we can do our best to accommodate you.
Networking & Social
- Is there an online platform or group where participants can connect before the school?
We will update more on this as we arrive closer to the event.