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The Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI) announces the call for proposals to be carried out at the SACLA public beamlines. Please follow the guidelines and instructions below when applying.
1. Types of Proposals
The SACLA research proposals are categorized into two groups: general proposals and priority strategy proposals.
| Type of Proppsal | Outline |
|---|---|
| Priority Strategy Proposal | With a view to strategically produce results, specific research themes have been selected based on the national policy. The JASRI will solicit proposals that are in line with the research themes through an open call. |
| General Proposal | The general proposal program is intended for general research with no specific research theme. |
For 2012A, only non-proprietary research is available, and proprietary proposal cannot be accepted. Once approved for beamtime, proposals are vaild only for 2012A.
2. Applicant Eligibility
Eligible individuals are those who can complete radiation worker registration before using the SACLA and be responsible for experiments carried out at the SACLA as a leader. Please note that students are not eligible (As a project team members, you students can participate in any research projects).
If you are affiliated with an institution outside Japan, please have at least one local contact person affiliated with a Japanese institution participate in your experiment. If you cannot find one, please contact the Users Office.
3. Beamlines and Equipment Available to Users
The beamlines and equipment available for 2012A are BL3 (XFEL Beamline), BL1 and the experimental equipment installed at the two beamlines.
Please note that the experimental equipment at the SACLA is still in the commissioning/start-up phase, and the Beamline List page is updated as new information becomes available.
4. Research Period
From March through July 2012* (excl. maintenance periods).
During this period, the facility will be operated around the clock and the user beamtime are allocated to successful proposals by the shift (12 hrs).
*Subject to change due to budget.
5. Fees
5.1 Beamtime Fee
Non-proprietary users are exempt from paying the beamtime fee. As explained above, proprietary research is not available for 2012A.
5.2 User Fees
All users are required to pay the fees to cover the costs of beamline maintenance/operation and consumables actually used (user fees). User fees are composed of a fixed fee charged for wear and tear on the facility and a variable fee charged for liquid He, He gas, and the SPring-8 stockroom reagents, parts, and stationery.
Fixed Fee: 15,450 yen/shift (subject to change in 2012B or after)
Variable Fee: calculated based on the amount actually used
Important: Supported by the Government’s treasury, users affiliated with institutions outside Japan are exempt from paying user fees.
6. Proposal Application and Required Procedures
Applicants/project leaders are required to submit proposals (upload an application form) from the SACLA User Information website (SACLA UI site).
6.1 User Registration
To upload/submit an application form, you need to have obtained a user account (user card ID number and password) by registering yourself. Please make sure that not only project leaders/applicants but also all project team members are registered as users. If you are not registered as a SPring-8 or SACLA user, click here to register.
Note: Registration information is also used for contact. If any of your registration information changes, you must update it from the SACLA UI site.
> Log in to My Page > “Edit My Details” link in the top right hand corner
6.2 Application Method
Fill out a “SACLA Research Proposal Application Form (MS Word)” and upload/submit the application form from the SACLA UI site. Please note that you will be prompted to read and agree to the “Rules for Users” (Agreement) when submitting your application form.
For instructions on how to upload/submit the application form, click here.
6.3 Confirmation Email
Upon successful submission, you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of Agreement (Rules for Users) in PDF format attached to it. If you do not receive the confirmation email, please contact the Users Office.
6.4 Other
[Lifetime of Proposal]
Approved proposals are valid only for the forthcoming half-year research term (2012A). Make sure that the proposed research can be completed within the period; beamtime cannot be awarded for comprehensive research that cannot be finished within a time frame of one research term.
[Project Leader]
A project leader is a person who will assume overall responsibility throughout the experiment at the SACLA.
7. Submission Deadline
Thursday, December 15, 2011, 10:00 am (Japan time)
8. Review Criteria and Notification of Review Results
8.1 Review Criteria
The JASRI will review submitted proposals through a fair and equitable review process and select the most qualified users using the following review criteria.
|
[SACLA Research Proposals Review Criteria] Research proposals of a wide range of scientific disciplines shall be fully peer-reviewed and then selected under the criteria outlined below. Proposal selection should be based on the Science and Technology Basic Plan and other related national policies while balancing international cooperation and competitiveness. Furthermore, proposals contributing to training researchers should also be noted. 1. Scientific and technical relevance (One of the following criteria shall be fulfilled.): |
8.2 Notification of Review Results
Applicants will be notified of the review results (the outcome of your application) in writing late January 2012.
9. Experiment Summary Report
To ensure transparency of the non-proprietary research program, users are required to submit an Experiment Summary Report* within 60 days after their experiment.
*Experiment Summary Report
Length: up to one A4 page
Language: English or Japanese
Required Information: purpose, experimental method, experimental data, samples, and summary of the results.
10. Dissemination of Research Results
The research results obtained through the use of the SACLA must be disseminated within three years from the end of the half-year research term in one of the following three formats:
1. Refereed journal papers incl. refereed proceedings and dissertations (Proposal No. must be specified).
2. SACLA Research Report (tentative)*
3. Corporate technical journal articles (industrial users only)**
*SACLA Research Report (tentative)
– Sufficient information on experiment results must be provided.
– One report is required for one proposal.
– Must be written in English or Japanese.
– Length should be between 2-3 A4 pages.
– In the case of unsuccessful experiments or results falling short of expectations, provide the details of and insights into possible reasons for such results.
– Subject to review by the JASRI’s Research Results Review Panel.
**Corporate Technical Journal Article
– The JASRI will review the adequacy and quality of the information provided.
11. Important Notes
11.1. Radiation Worker Registration
The Japanese Law (Ordinance on Prevention of Ionizing Radiation Hazards) requires all SACLA users to be registered as radiation workers.
11.2. Safety Precaution
For your safety, do not work alone. Please work in a group of two or more.
11.3. Cancellation of Beamtime
Please be advised that your scheduled beamtime may be cancelled in emergencies such as equipment failure, natural disaster, pandemic, etc. In such cases, users cannot claim compensation for the lost beamtime.
12. Contact/Consultation
12.1. General Inquiries
SPring-8/SACLA Users Office
Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI)
1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun
Hyogo 679-5198 Japan
Tel: +81-(0)791-58-0961
Fax: +81-(0)791-58-0965
email: sacla.jasri@spring8.or.jp
12.2. Consultation on Technical Matters
XFEL Division
Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute (JASRI)
1-1-1 Kouto, Sayo-cho, Sayo-gun
Hyogo 679-5198 Japan
email: sacla-bl.jasri@spring8.or.jp