Apply for Beamtime

How do I get beamtime?

Primary access to the CLS is based on peer review, emphasizing the excellence of science where there is intent to publish scientific results. The CLS allocates and schedules the research time on all beamlines.

The review process and the method by which user beamtime is awarded, allocated, and scheduled varies depending on the access mechanism chosen by the user. Access mechanisms are considered throughout the year; please refer to below list of the access mechanisms for more information. All proposals are reviewed for safety, technical feasibility and, if applicable, ethics.

Access Mechanisms to Obtain Beamtime

• General User Access
  • Macromolecular Crystallography
  • All Other Beamlines
  • Canadian Access to International Synchrotron Facilities - CLS@APS
• Rapid Access
• Purchased Access

  • User time obtained through purchased access is determined by contractual agreements between CLSI and the purchaser who can be a beam team member, general user or client. Required reviews for safety, technical and ethics (if required) must be approved prior to an experiment being scheduled.

    Clients interested in Purchased Access may view services and options, or contact Jeff Warner, Industrial Science Manager, 306-657-3803 at any time for details.

• Beam Team Member Priority Access

Agreement to Use the Canadian Light Source Facility

An Agreement to Use the Canadian Light Source Facility is required by each institution/organization requiring access to CLS. Only one agreement is required per institution/organization and covers all individuals who are authorized representatives of the said institution/organization.  In many cases, these agreements are in place; if they are not, CLS will be in contact with you. 

To view a list of the institutions CLS has agreements with, click here.

Beamtime Fees

Proposals awarded beamtime are invoiced on a regular basis for an access fee of $1 per eight hour shift. Users are also invoiced for fees for other items such as materials, supplies, and shipping/receiving of samples/products.

For fees associated with the Purchased Access mechanism, please contact solutions@lightsource.ca