All Other Beamlines 

Proposal Submission

User time allocated through this mechanism is via competitive peer review, twice per year, emphasizing the excellence of science where there is intent to publish scientific results. See Call for Proposal Deadlines.

During the Call for Proposals, users can submit a new proposal or a beamtime request (BTR) against an active project.

Submit a New Proposal

1. Contact the appropriate CLSI beamline scientist for the beamline you are applying to to discuss your research.
2. Log in to the User Portal.  If you have not previously registered you will be required to register and you will receive a username prior to submitting a proposal. 
3. Complete the proposal submisison form, ensuring to select General User for the proposal type.
4. Each field in the proposal form has instructions associated with it, appearing on the right-hand side of the screen.
5. Once a proposal passes the technical and peer reviews, it is turned into a project, and is valid for 4 cycles (2 years), unless otherwise indicated.

Submit a Beamtime Request (BTR)

An active projectdoes not automatically receive beamtime for every cycle, therefore a BTR must be submitted for each scheduling period during the Call for Proposals. A BTR is used to request shifts in the upcoming cycle. Active projects submitting a BTR are not re-evaluated.  Allocation of shifts is based on the highest ranked proposals (both new and active). Note: The highest ranked score is 1 and the lowest is 5.

1. Users can submit a BTR against an active project
2. Log in to the User Portal and select Home → My Projects to view a list of projects. On the project page, sleect Submit BTR
3. Enter the desired amount of shifts for the cycle

Submit a Clone

A cloned proposal is a exact replicate of an existing project. Cloning is used when a user needs submit a General User proposal from a Rapid Access project, or to continue with an exisitng project that has surpassed its 4 cycle lifetime.

1. Select My Projects to view a list of your projects.
2. Select the project you would like to clone.
3. Click Clone on the project page.
4. Update the proposal as required.
5. Submit. 

Proposal Review

All new proposals submitted through the Call for Proposals are subject to technical, safety, ethics (if applicable), and peer review. Click here for details about the Peer Review evaluation process.

Beam Time Allocation

The Allocation Committee allocates beamtime on all beamlines and for all categories. See Beamtime Allocation for General User beamtime allocation. Proposals awarded beamtime require an appropriate address for invoicing purposes. Invoices are generated on a regular basis for an access fee of $1 per eight hour shift and fees for other items such as materials and supplies and/or shipping or receiving of samples/products.

Scheduling Beam Time

CLS schedules research on all beamlines. Each scheduling cycle will identify the number of eight-hour shifts to be allocated to each experiment or group. The beamline staff schedule time on each experimental facility using input from the allocation committee, beam team and users, to optimize the final schedule. Confirmation of scheduling is provided via the User Portal (see Creating and Managing your Proposal).

Given the complex nature of synchrotron facilities, when user beam time is lost due to unforeseen circumstances, it will not automatically be rescheduled. CLS is committed to working with affected users to maintain the continuity of their experimental programs. On a user-by-user basis, discretionary time may be allocated when possible.

Appeals 

CLS promotes and encourages open communication between all users of the beamlines at CLS. Appeals relating to proposal ratings and/or allocation will follow the process identified in the appeals guidelines.