Access to the Australian Synchrotron for Monash users

Most Monash researchers will access the Australian Synchrotron via the Merit-based or the Preferred access route. The Merit-based access route is open to all non-proprietary users. The Preferred access route is the 2.73% of user beamtime available to Monash researchers as a result of the University's contribution as a Foundation Investor to the initial suite of beamlines. The information below is a condensed version of the "Draft policy for the allocation of Monash Preferred access beamtime". The full policy document is available here.

Merit-based beamtime vs. Preferred access beamtime

The aims of the Merit-based and Preferred access programs are considered to be both distinct and fundamentally different in nature. Both experienced and inexperienced users can and should seek access to beamtime via the Merit-based access route, with the assistance of MCSS staff as required. 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. It is possible to submit the same application for consideration via both routes. 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.

Australian Synchrotron: Merit based access

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

At present, the AS Merit-based proposal deadlines are nominally October, February and June each for the subsequent allocation periods; January-April, May-August and September-December respectively.

Applications for AS Merit-based access are submitted via the Synchrotron Customer Portal. Proposals are then assessed and ranked, and beamtime awarded according to ranking until the schedule is filled.

Australian Synchrotron: Monash Preferred (Foundation Investor) access

Under the Preferred access route, the 11 Foundation Investors, including Monash University, share 30% of the available user time. Monash's share of this allocation is 2.73% of available time per beamline per annum, for the initial suite of 9 beamlines. This agreement expires 6 years after beamline commissioning on an individual beamline basis. In 2008, the projected user time at the facility is 4000-5000 hours, corresponding to a preferred access allocation of 110-130 hours per beamline. Preferred access beamtime is not anticipated to be transferable between individual beamlines. Award of this beamtime will be according to the "Draft Policy for the allocation of Monash Preferred access beamtime" and administered by the Monash Centre for Synchrotron Science.

Assessment criteria

The primary determinant of the success of applications to the reserved beamtime 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

Projects that are considered to otherwise have good prospects of success via the Merit-based access route will not normally be considered favourably via the reserved beamtime route, although any project of high strategic importance to the university would still be considered.

Application process and deadlines

Proposal assessment and award of beamtime to successful applicants will normally be held concurrently with calls for Merit-based proposals, to facilitate Australian Synchrotron scheduling procedures. For safety and technical oversight, the Australian Synchrotron has requested that all applications be made via the Synchrotron Customer Portal. Applicants should therefore submit their electronic application via this system (selecting 'Foundation Investor Access' for the proposal type), then print a hard copy and attach it to the MCSS application form, for submission to MCSS Research and Training Manager by the close of the call for proposals. The MCSS application form requires applicants to identify the strategic gains to the university expected from award of Preferred access beamtime, and why their proposal is not suited to the conventional Merit-based access route.

If applicants are unsure as to whether their proposal is best suited to the Preferred access route, they are encouraged to also submit the same proposal via the Merit-based route (see above). Applications which are successful via the Merit-based route will be removed from further consideration under the Preferred access route.

Applicants are encouraged to consult with the Beamline Fellows when preparing their applications, especially with regard to technical feasibility.

Applying now

MCSS endeavours to keep users informed of the most recent beamline capabilities at the time of each application round.

Information about proposed beamtime application deadlines for 2008 can be found here.

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

Application assessment

Applications will be scored by at least two referees. These would normally be the MCSS Research and Training Manager and the Beamline Fellow with the most relevant expertise in the technique proposed. However, MCSS reserves the right to seek expert opinion from experienced users, as appropriate, from within or external to Monash University to assist in the scoring process. Following the scoring procedure, recommendations will be made to the MCSS Director, who has final discretionary authority to award the reserved beamtime.

Scores will be assigned according to the following criteria:

1. The strategic gain to the university (50%)
2. The scientific purpose and significance of the experiment (20%)
3. The need for synchrotron radiation (10%)
4. Track record of all the experiment participants, including identification of 'first time' synchrotron users, ECRs, students and other priority users (20%)

Applications must also pass a technical feasibility hurdle. This will be assessed by the Beamline Fellows in consultation with the staff of the Australian Synchrotron.

Reporting requirements

Successful applicants for reserved time are required to submit a brief report as to the strategic outcomes generated 30 days and 12 months subsequent to the awarded beamtime. It is recognised that proposals which may have high strategic gain may not generate any publishable data or results in the short or even medium term.