Special Initiatives
LSU research aims to enhance, expand, and positively impact the intellectual enterprise, cultural resources, and economic activities within the state of Louisiana, the nation, and the world.
A&M Agenda for Louisiana, Research Advisory Group 
Mission: Establish a joint LSU-Southern University Research Advisory Group, composed
of campus liaisons, to refine common research interests and focus areas, understand the
feasibility of research opportunities, and oversee the implementation of awarded proposals,
all of which support the economic development of the state. Read more.
Committed to the Coast
Louisiana’s coast is a unique and immensely valuable resource. Many of the state’s
most prized assets—natural resources, seafood, and people—depend on its health. As
the state’s flagship university, LSU plays a leading role in research that helps officials
better understand, preserve and manage coastal ecosystems.
Creative Initiatives
Creative Initiatives was established to support the research strategic plan. Its primary
goals are to provide a definition of creativity that will support the strategic goals
of the Office of Research and Economic Development; bring a broader appreciation for
the creative contributions of all disciplines to the research plan of LSU; develop
communication mechanisms to promote scholarship both internally and externally; and
identify funding sources that will support creative engagement and thinking, both
in and beyond the arts area at LSU. The faculty who are involved in this endeavor
make a coordinated effort to support the strategic goals of LSU and ORED, while bringing
about a broader appreciation for the creative contributions of all disciplines, promoting
scholarship, and identifying funding sources.
How to Engage: DoD Basic Research Enterprise
In 2017, Congress reauthorized and funded the Defense Established Program to Stimulate
Competitive Research (DEPSCoR) in order to enhance the capabilities of institutes
of higher education in certain states and to increase their number of university researchers,
increasing the probability of long-term growth in competitive federal funding. Together
with the Department of Defense, LSU is hosting How to Engage: DoD Basic Research Enterprise
for the Southern Region on February 20, 2020 to educate researchers about the DoD
Research Enterprise.
Digital Humanities 
The Office of Research & Economic Development is leading the effort to develop a working group dedicated to expanding Digital Humanities research on campus. In partnership with the LSU Libraries, we are working with the Digital Scholarship Lab to facilitate and grow a community of researchers interested in the intersections of computation and digital corpuses with humanities research. Contact our office for more information.
Louisiana Quantum Initiative
In partnership with schools all over the state, LSU is facing the quantum technology challenge that has spurred investment and research all over the world, including the United States through the 2018 bipartisan National Quantum Initiative Act. In addition to continuing quantum theoretical work, LSU is advancing quantum technology in several areas (quantum computation, quantum cryptography and communications, and quantum sensing and imaging) through research in theory, metrology, optics, and materials via a number of collaborations, groups, and consortia. The Louisiana Quantum Initiative is a growing partnership between LSU and Louisiana Tech University, Tulane University, Southern University, Grambling State University, Loyola University New Orleans, the University of New Orleans, and University of Louisiana Lafayette.
Power Players 
LSU energy researchers provide numerous partnership opportunities for industry in a variety of applied research areas, including geological exploration, hydraulic fracturing, solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, materials, efficiency, electrical conductivity, nuclear, and environmental and socioeconomic impacts. This expertise has led the university to launch the Power Players campaign, which creates synergy among our researchers and the energy industry to increase the breakthroughs that will create a brighter energy future.
Science Café
Science Café is a free, informal public talk and networking event featuring an expert from LSU the last Tuesday of every month (except December) with door opening at 5 p.m. and talks starting at 6 p.m. at The Varsity, 3353 Highland Road, Baton Rouge. People of all ages are welcome. Science Café is sponsored by the Office of Research & Economic Development.