Battelle Memorial Institute, also known as Battelle, is a nonprofit research and development organization based in Columbus, Ohio. Established in 1929, the organization claims to conduct research and technology development for government-based, industry, and commercial clients. The group is one of the largest independent nonprofit R&D institutions in the United States and is known for managing seven national laboratories for the U.S. Department of Energy. Battelle receives most of its funding from government grants, including 88% of the organization’s $12.4 billion in revenue in 2023. ^{1 2}

Background

The Batelle Memorial Institute was founded in 1929 from the estate of steel businessman Gordon Battelle, who passed away in 1918. According to his will, Battle claimed he advocated for “education in connection with and the encouragement of creative and research work in the making of discoveries and inventions . . . to do the greatest good for humanity.” ¹

Originally focused on metallurgy and similar industries, the organization has also supported several technical advancements. It contributed to the Manhattan Project and the development of UPC barcodes, Xerox machines, and compact discs. The group’s research was involved with combustion, electronics, energy conversion, life support, coatings, lubrication, materials, propellants, radiation, and electronic mechanical reliability behind the Apollo 11 launch. ³

Activities

The Battelle Memorial Institute manages several government-funded research laboratories. It also operates up to seven U.S. Department of Energy national laboratories, including Brookhaven National Laboratory, Idaho National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and Savannah River National Laboratory. Battelle is an “integrated subcontractor” at an eighth national laboratory: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. ^{2 4}

Leadership

Lewis Von Thaer is the president and CEO of the Battelle Memorial Institute, working in the role since 2017. Prior to joining Battelle, Von Thaer held senior positions at Bell Labs, General Dynamics, Leidos, and DynCorp International. He holds degrees in electrical engineering from Kansas State University and Rutgers University. ⁵ Von Thaer received a total of $4.9 million in compensation from Battelle in 2023, including $1 million in base salary and $3.6 million in bonus and incentive pay. ²

Financials

According to 2023 tax returns, Battelle Memorial Institute reported $12.46 billion in total revenue and $12.36 billion in expenses for the 2023 fiscal year. The organization reported $1.6 billion in total assets and $698 million in liabilities. ²

Government grants comprise a vast majority of the group’s funding, accounting for over $11 billion of the group’s $12.46 billion in revenue in 2023. ²

In addition to its scientific work, Battelle provides grants to schools and organizations related to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education. In 2024, Battelle awarded $985,000 in grant funding to educational organizations in Central Ohio, bringing its total grantmaking to local STEM education to more than $6.5 million. ⁶

1. “About Us.” Battelle. Accessed April 2, 2025. https://www.battelle.org/about-us
2. Return of an Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990). Battelle Memorial Institute. 2023. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/314379427/202412199349300031/full
3. “If a Year Is Measured in 525,600 Minutes, Then Battelle Is at 47 Million Minutes—and Counting.” Battelle. Accessed April 2, 2025. https://inside.battelle.org/blog-details/if-a-year-is-measured-in-525-600-minutes-then-battelle-is-at-47-million-minutes-and-counting
4. “Laboratory Management.” Battelle. Accessed April 2, 2025. https://www.battelle.org/laboratory-management
5. “Battelle Names Lewis ‘Lou’ Von Thaer President & CEO.” WashingtonExec. July 13, 2017. Accessed April 2, 2025. https://washingtonexec.com/2017/07/battelle-names-lewis-lou-von-thaer-president-ceo/
6. “Battelle Sets New Funding Record with 2024 STEM Education Grants for Innovative Central Ohio Programs.” Battelle. May 29, 2024. Accessed April 5, 2025. https://www.battelle.org/insights/newsroom/press-release-details/battelle-boosts-stem-education-with-record-funding-for-innovative-programs-across-central-ohio