Computing and Computational Sciences Directorate

Rows of black computing cabinets with blue-lit cooling fans fill an ORNL data center as personnel conduct a safety walkthrough of the Discovery and LUX systems.

Advancing computing and data capabilities for scientific discovery and continued U.S. technological leadership

Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Computing and Computational Sciences Directorate (CCSD) is helping define the future of scientific discovery by building an integrated innovation ecosystem designed to accelerate breakthroughs at scale. As research challenges grow more complex and the pace of traditional technology advancement slows, CCSD is bringing together leadership computing, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, advanced data capabilities, and experimental science in new and transformative ways. This strategy is designed to create a more connected, agile, and energy-conscious research environment that can support discovery across a broad range of national priorities.

By combining world-class computing resources with emerging AI-driven workflows, autonomous experimentation, and next-generation digital infrastructure, CCSD is laying the foundation for a new model of science — one that is faster, smarter, and more collaborative. Through major national partnerships and platform initiatives, the laboratory is helping shape an interoperable ecosystem that links people, tools, data, and facilities into seamless end-to-end workflows. Our approach also emphasizes efficiency, trust, and long-term adaptability, ensuring that future scientific capabilities remain both powerful and sustainable. With continued investment in talent, infrastructure, and technology development, CCSD is positioning itself — and the broader Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) enterprise — to lead in a future where discovery is increasingly driven by intelligent, connected, and highly automated scientific systems.

Oak Ridge National Laboratory - Frontier

Vision Statement

To create a world-leading scientific discovery ecosystem that seamlessly integrates computing, AI, quantum technologies, data, and experimentation to accelerate breakthroughs for the nation.

Mission Statement

ORNL advances DOE and national priorities by deploying next-generation leadership computing, trustworthy AI, autonomous laboratories, energy-efficient architectures, and quantum-enabled workflows that transform how science is discovered, validated, and delivered.

Advanced Tech - Analytics & AI Methods at Scale - digital map of global networks

Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility

CCSD houses the Oak Ridge Leadership Computing Facility (OLCF), home to the world’s first exascale supercomputer, Frontier. ORNL delivered Frontier to advance leadership-class computing for open science. Frontier enables us to address, with greater complexity and higher fidelity, the greatest scientific challenges of our time.

Quantum Science Center

The strength of our base programs contributed to the establishment of a DOE Office of Science National Quantum Information Science Research Center known as the Quantum Science Center (QSC). The QSC is working toward the first fault-tolerant ecosystem for hybrid quantum high-performance computing.

The Genesis Mission

The DOE’s Genesis Mission aims to accelerate scientific discovery by integrating AI, advanced computing, data, and experimental facilities. ORNL contributes its strengths in high-performance computing, AI, neutron science, materials, energy, and autonomous experimentation. Central to the mission is the American Science Cloud, a secure environment based at ORNL, connecting computing, data, networks, and experimental resources across DOE national laboratories. Together, these capabilities will accelerate breakthroughs in energy, national security, advanced manufacturing, and other critical technologies.