Government and commercial clients turn to the Molecular Physics Laboratory for in-depth expertise in atmospheric chemistry and physics, molecular and optical physics, biomechanical optics, mass spectroscopy, and trace species monitoring. NASA and the National Science Foundation have sponsored research in the laboratory continuously for 50 years.

For almost 20 years, the laboratory has operated a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program for the NSF, providing undergraduate students with summer research opportunities. SRI is one of the few non-academic organizations participating in the REU program.