The High Energy Physics Advisory Panel (HEPAP) has advised the Federal Government on the national program in experimental and theoretical high energy physics (HEP) research since its inception in 1967. Since October 2000, the Panel now has joint ownership and continues to be chartered by the Department of Energy (DOE) and reports directly to the Associate Director, Office of High Energy Physics, Office of Science (DOE), and the Assistant Director, Mathematical & Physical Sciences Directorate (NSF), under the guidelines established by the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). DOE and NSF continue to enhance their existing partnership in advancing HEP research and work together to support the ongoing U.S. leadership in this forefront research.
HEPAP's activities include: periodic reviews of the program and recommendation of any changes considered desirable on the basis of scientific and technological advances or other factors; advice on long-range plans, priorities, and strategies for the national high energy physics program; advice on recommended appropriate levels of funding to assure a world leadership position, and to help maintain appropriate balance between competing elements of the program.
In formulating HEPAP special attention is paid to obtaining a diverse membership with a balance of disciplines, interests, experiences, points of view, and geography. HEPAP operates in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA, Public Law 92-463; 92nd Congress, H.R. 4383; October 6, 1972) and all applicable FACA Amendments, Federal Regulations and Executive Orders.
The Particle Physics Project Prioritization Panel (P5), a subpanel of the High Energy Physics Advisory Panel (HEPAP), presented its report in December 2023, a ten-year strategic plan for high energy physics in the U.S. Click here to go to the HEPAP Reports website to see a Web version of the report, a high quality printable version, and an executive summary. A two-page P5 fact sheet is also available here.
The Office of High Energy Physics also relies on the Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee (AAAC) to give advice to the Office of High Energy Physics and NASA regarding its particle-astrophysics research program. Chartered by NSF, the AAAC focuses on programs that overlap with NSF and NASA.
When special situations require additional advice, the Office of High Energy Physics calls on the National Academy of Science to produce reports such as, “Revealing the Hidden Nature of Space and Time: Charting the Course for Elementary Particle Physics.”
For Comments or Questions in regards to the High Energy Physics Advisory Panel's section of this website, please contact John.Kogut, at U.S.DOE-HEP