Access to the Australian Synchrotron for Monash users

Access routes
Merit-based access
Preferred (Foundation Investor) access
Merit-based vs. perferred access: Which route should I use?
How to apply for beamtime at the Australian Synchrotron
More information

Access routes

The Australian Synchrotron has 3 access routes:

1. Merit-based access, where users from any research institution make an application which is assessed on a competitive basis according to established criteria. This comprises 50% of the available user time at the facility.
2. Preferred access, shared by the 11 Foundation Investors, including Monash University, comprising a total of 30% of the available user time.
3. The remaining 20% of beamtime is used at the discretion of the Australian Synchrotron, and includes proprietary access (i.e. fee paying commercial customers).

Monash users can apply for beamtime through either the merit-based access route, or the preferred access route, or both. Preferred access is administered by the Monash Centre for Synchrotron Science. Further information on the Monash preferred access beamtime can be found in the Draft policy for the allocation of Monash Preferred access beamtime.

Merit-based access

The merit-based access route is open to all non-proprietary users. The application process for merit-based access to the Australian Synchrotron (AS) is similar to that at most other synchrotrons worldwide. Applicants are required to submit a short experimental proposal that includes the following items:

1. The scientific purpose and significance of the experiment
2. The methodology and technique(s) to be employed
3. The need for synchrotron radiation
4. Track record of all the experiment participants, including previous experience using synchrotron radiation

Preferred (Foundation Investor) access

The primary determinant of the success of applications to the preferred access route will be demonstrable strategic outcomes to Monash University in the areas of teaching and research. Examples of proposals that would be considered favourably via this route are:

1. Proposals that are high risk but potentially high gain, e.g. development of novel and untested techniques where immediate data or results are not likely;
2. Proposals where confidentiality or rapid access is critical to outcomes (excluding proprietary proposals); or
3. Proposals for the use of beamtime for targeted undergraduate education e.g. laboratory classes at the synchrotron, Honours level Projects

Additional consideration may be given to identified priority users:

1. First time synchrotron users
2. Early career researchers
3. Cross disciplinary collaborations

MCSS administers internal review of applications and allocates the available FI beamtime according to the above criteria. Proposals are also reviewed for technical feasibility and safety by the Australian Synchrotron.

Beamlines available to Monash researchers under the preferred access route are published here as soon as they are available for each round.

Merit-based vs. preferred access: Which route should I use?

Monash users can apply for either or both merit-based and preferred access beamtime in each round. Both experienced and inexperienced users can and should seek access to beamtime via the merit-based access route. Using this route, the merit of the scientific proposal, the need for synchrotron radiation and the track record of the applicants are the primary determinants of the application's success.

In contrast, the preferred access route is envisaged as leveraging Monash's investment as a Foundation Investor to grow and enhance research and education outcomes exploiting the synchrotron sciences. The primary determinant of application success via this route is the demonstrable strategic gain to Monash University towards achieving these outcomes. It is a route considered appropriate for applications which are of high strategic value but would not otherwise be highly ranked via the competitive Merit-based access route. MCSS has responsibility for administering this access program, including liaison with the Australian Synchrotron.

Applicants seeking advice as to which access route they should utilise should contact the MCSS Research and Training Manager or one of the MCSS Beamline Fellows. Assessment of applications is done independently for each access route. However, if applications are successful via the Merit-based route, they will be removed from further consideration under the Preferred access route.

How to apply for beamtime at the Australian Synchrotron

• Calls for proposals are made 3 times per year by the Australian Synchrotron, for beamtime in the 3 periods January to April, May to August, and September to December. Refer to the application deadlines published by the Australian Synchrotron
• Check the latest beamline updates to ensure your proposed experiment in technically feasible, or contact one of the MCSS Beamline Research Fellows for assistance
• All applications must be submitted via the online proposal system, the Australian Synchrotron User Portal
• Be sure to choose the appropriate access route in Stage 1 of creating a proposal:
  • To apply for merit-based access only: Choose the 'normal' round, which will be designated as '2009/3' or similar
  • To apply for preferred access only, or Foundation Investor (FI) beamtime: Choose the FI round, which will be designated 'FI_2009/3' or similar
  • To apply for both merit-based and preferred access: Choose the 'normal' round, which will be designated as '2009/3' or similar, AND tick the checkbox to ensure your proposal is also considered for preferred access
• Ensure you complete the additional requirements for preferred access (Foundation Investor) applications:
  • If you have applied for preferred access (FI) beamtime, you must also submit the MCSS application form to the MCSS Research and Training Manager by the call for proposals deadline, in order for your FI beamtime application to be further considered.
  • Successful applicants FI beamtime are required to submit a brief report as to the strategic outcomes generated 30 days and 12 months after the beamtime.
• Applicants will be notified of beamtime awards by the Australian Synchrotron for both merit-based access and preferred access applications.

More information

MCSS endeavours to keep users informed of the most recent beamline capabilities at the time of each application round. To be kept informed of upcoming information sessions for Monash researchers, please join our mailing list.

Slides from Dr Karen Siu's presentation, "Access to the Australian Synchrotron for Monash Researchers" (07/10/2008) can be downloaded here.