Laboratory directed research and development of U.S. Department of Energy promotes science and technology innovation

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) established the Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) program in 1991 to give laboratory directors the ability to allocate funding to scientists to support employee-initiated proposals that explore forefront areas of S and T. LDRD makes laboratories maintain the scientific and technical vitality, enhances laboratories, ability to address current and future DOE missions, fosters creativity and stimulates exploration of forefront S and T through supporting high-risk, potentially high-value R and D. In addition, LDRD also fosters, attracts and retains the most qualified scientists and engineers and allow scientific and technical staff to enhance their skills and expertise. These all lay a solid foundation for the laboratories' long-term sustainable development. In this paper, the objectives, history, laws, types, characteristics, sources of funds, management and other aspects are elaborated in detail, and the effect of LDRD is analysed and evaluated taking Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) as an example. (authors)