Lab of the Year entries reveal eight current trends Since 1967, the Laboratory of the Year competition administered by R&D Magazine has generated excitement every spring. Winning projects receive a high degree of attention, including detailed feature articles and conference presentations. Empower facility users with smart programming Consider programming to be the GPS system of a project. Encoded in it is the data that will direct the shape of your new facility. A well-defined program forms an essential facilities planning tool, consolidating operational, research, and educational goals into a focused document that will direct the design of the building.