DOE and Princeton renew partnership to operate PPPL. August 25, 2026 Press play to listen to this content Aug. 25, 2026 - The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Princeton University have extended the contract for Princeton's management and operation of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), located on the University's Forrestal Campus in Plainsboro, New Jersey. PPPL's primary fusion experiment is the National Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade (NSTX-U), which is designed to be the world's most powerful spherical tokamak. Credit: PPPL. "Princeton is proud to continue its longstanding partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, building on a shared commitment to scientific excellence," said Peter Schiffer, the University's dean for research and vice president for PPPL. "PPPL is renowned for innovative and world-leading plasma research and advancing the science and engineering needed to realize fusion energy." "At PPPL, we have big ideas and do big science that reverberates around the world and through history," said Steve Cowley, PPPL laboratory director. "We're excited to continue that tradition through our renewed partnership with Princeton University, enabling us to pursue groundbreaking science for years to come." PPPL's historic focus on plasma and fusion research has recently expanded to include substantial research efforts in microelectronics, quantum computing and artificial intelligence. PPPL's primary fusion experiment is the National Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade (NSTX-U), which is designed to be the world's most powerful spherical tokamak. The Laboratory is also home to the Facility for Laboratory Reconnection Experiments, a national collaborative research facility studying magnetic reconnection. Under the five-year contract extension, which commences April 1, 2027, the University expects to invest in increasing collaborations with Princeton faculty, exploring a next-generation facility for fusion energy research, and enhancing site infrastructure and safety for the next phase of operations. PPPL partners with industry and research institutions to advance the development of fusion and plasma technologies. As one of the select participants in DOE's Genesis Mission, the Laboratory pioneers artificial intelligence and high-performance computing to accelerate fusion research. It also collaborates with private companies through DOE's Innovation Network for Fusion Energy (INFUSE) program, the Milestone-Based Fusion Development program and through other partnership channels. PPPL is also working with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and venture capital firm SOSV to launch the NJ HAX Plasma Forge to accelerate plasma technology commercialization and start-up development in New Jersey. Princeton has operated PPPL since the Laboratory's inception in 1951, when it was called Project Matterhorn and under the leadership of founding Director Lyman Spitzer. PPPL is one of 10 National Laboratories stewarded by DOE's Office of Science, and one of only 17 DOE laboratories nationwide. Together, these laboratories comprise a preeminent federal research system that provides the nation with strategic scientific and technological capabilities. Scientists running large simulations can end up with terabytes of data that then has to... Over the past several days, a steady stream of Genesis Mission announcements has arrived from... As investment in Physical AI accelerates, simulation is taking on a much larger role than... Scientists have relied on HPC facilities to help them process large volumes of data, execute... Most quantum computing announcements revolve around hardware: more qubits, new processors, and better error correction... Nvidia this week highlighted an early deployment of its Vera CPU at Los Alamos National...

NJEDA and RWJBarnabas announce $10 million investment for life sciences startups. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority Board approved on Aug. 21 a commitment of up to $5 million to an investment fund managed by Portal Innovations to support life sciences companies based at the New Jersey Innovation Hub in the New Jersey Health + Life Science Exchange Strategic Innovation Center in New Brunswick. The investment will be matched by up to $5 million from RWJBarnabas Health, which is the exclusive healthcare partner to the fund. The funding aims to advance innovative startups focused on drug discovery and translational medicine, supporting entrepreneurs, creating jobs, strengthening community health and access to healthcare services, and driving long-term growth in the state's innovation economy. "Through our first six months in office, my administration is taking action to ensure the next generation of innovative companies can thrive right here in New Jersey, from cutting costs and easing burdensome regulations, to making government more responsive to the needs of the business community," said Gov. Mikie Sherrill. "The partnership between the NJEDA and RWJBarnabas Health shows the power of public-private partnerships in building our state's innovation economy, and will further New Jersey's leadership in the life sciences sector." NJEDA Chief Executive Officer Evan Weiss said, "From cutting red tape and burdensome regulations to expanding access to capital, the governor is taking action to ensure companies can continue to grow and thrive in New Jersey. The NJEDA's $5 million investment to Portal Innovations, partnering with RWJBarnabas Health's $5 million match, will bolster the state's leadership in the life sciences sector, advance novel research and development, and strengthen New Jersey's entrepreneurial ecosystem, encouraging the Garden State's continued economic growth." Strategic Innovation Centers are facilities that support research and development through mentorship programs, networking opportunities, hands-on training sessions, business support services, and educational programming. These centers provide a physical location where entrepreneurs can collaborate with each other as well as industry leaders. Building One of HELIX includes workspaces equipped with laboratories as well as conference facilities for participating startup companies. "At RWJBarnabas Health we know that promising breakthroughs shouldn't stall on their way from bench to bedside. We see this collaboration with NJEDA and Portal Innovations as a direct expression of Governor Sherrill's vision for a more competitive innovation-driven New Jersey - one where economic growth and improved health outcomes advance hand-in-hand," said George Helmy, executive vice president at RWJBarnabas Health. "This strategic investment allows us to walk alongside entrepreneurs from their earliest ideas through clinical application, ensuring that life sciences innovation translates into better outcomes for patients." John Flavin, founder of Portal Innovations, said: "Successful life sciences ecosystems are built through collaboration; public-private partnerships are essential for creating conditions where entrepreneurs can thrive - we've already had success by signing 18 members at NJ Innovation Hub. The investment from NJEDA & RWJBarnabas is a seminal moment for innovation here; these funds represent an important commitment giving startups resources they need to reach next milestones and build momentum underway within state's ecosystem."

AJC names Andrew Gross Director of New York regional office. July 29, 2026 - New York American Jewish Committee (AJC), the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, has named Andrew Gross to be Director of its New York regional office. Gross joins AJC from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, where he served as Director of International Innovation and Partnerships. In that role, he worked to establish economic relations, investment opportunities, and agreements from abroad to support the state's economic growth. "We are thrilled to welcome Andrew Gross as Regional Director of AJC New York. Andrew brings exceptional leadership, deep community relationships, and a strong commitment to AJC's mission," said AJC CEO Ted Deutch. "At a time when New York's Jewish communities navigate significant new challenges, I am confident that Andrew's experience and vision will strengthen our impact and advance our mission throughout the region." Gross also has extensive professional connections to Israel. In 2019, he was named by then-New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy as Executive Director of the New Jersey-Israel Commission, where he oversaw the state's relations with Israel, including trade, culture, education, and investment. He previously served as Director of Political Affairs at the Consulate General of Israel in New York, where he acted as the primary liaison to government officials, community organizations, think tanks, and industry executives. "I'm honored to lead AJC's efforts in the city with the world's largest Jewish population outside Israel," Gross said. "At a time when antisemitism has risen to alarming levels in New York and around the world, AJC's advocacy has never been more needed." Gross received a B.A. in International Affairs from The George Washington University and is a member of the Councilor's Program at the Atlantic Council, a leading foreign policy think tank. American Jewish Committee (AJC) is the global advocacy organization for the Jewish people, creating trusted partnerships with leaders around the world to ensure Jews and Israel are safe and thriving. Through 40 offices and dozens of partnerships with Jewish communities worldwide, AJC engages leaders in more than 110 countries, empowering those in government, education, partner communities, and the private sector to counter antisemitism and act as allies. For more, please visit www.ajc.org. More regional news.