The Laboratori Nazionali del Sud are an important research center, well established in the international scientific community. The LNS activities are mainly concerned with the fundamental research in the field of Nuclear Physics, Nuclear Astrophysics and Particle Astrophysics, but also of Applied Research, such as Accelerator Physics, Plasma Physics, Nuclear Physics applied to Medicine, to Biology and Cultural Heritage, radiation monitoring, irradiation of components for aerospace industry.

At the LNS two particle accelerators, a Superconducting Cyclotron and a Tandem, provide ion beams from Hydrogen to Lead with energies up to tens of MeV per nucleon. It is also possible to produce radioactive ion beams applying the in-flight fragmentation method. Nuclear matter properties are studied by using big detector apparata (CHIMERA, MAGNEX, MEDEA) and dedicated apparata that can be installed in one of the available experimental halls. Theoretical Physics studies are also carried out in the same research fields.

For Particle Astrophysics a large undersea research infrastructure (KM3NeT) is currently under construction for the detection of neutrinos. It is located in a branch of the LNS located in Portopalo di Capo Passero, and is used also for interdisciplinary research (Geophysics, Volcanology, Marine Biology).  

At the LNS an irradiation hall for proton-therapy (CATANA), a laboratory for Cultural Heritage  (LANDIS), a laboratory for measurements of environment radioactivity and other laboratories for interdisciplinary activities (photonics, biology, chemistry) are fully operating.