Only web-based proposal submissions will be accepted. Any other forms will be returned to the PI. As you prepare to submit your proposal, please refer to the Proposal Submission Guide directly below.
Proposal Submission Guide
What Your Proposal Should Contain
CINT user proposals are evaluated by external reviewers based on six specific proposal elements. Proposals lacking any of that information will be at a competitive disadvantage for access to CINT.
All CINT user proposals are expected to explicitly contain the following six elements within the 2-page limit:
- What are the main scientific questions being addressed in this user project including the connection to nanoscience? (suggested length – 200 words)
- Briefly describe the state of research in this area and how your work is advancing the field. (suggested length – 150 words)
- What is the expected impact of this user project? (suggested length – 150 words)
- What specific work will be performed at the user’s institution in preparation for, or in support of, the proposed CINT work? (sample preparation, complementary characterization, calculations)
- What specific tasks will be performed by the user(s) in conjunction with CINT? For each task, include task duration, expected task outcome, requested instrument(s) and CINT staff engagement. (This should be the longest and most detailed section.)
- Key References
Visit our step-by-step guide (pptx) to preparing a CINT user proposal.
Proposal selection
Proposals will be internally screened for safety/feasibility and prioritized by an external review panel based upon scientific merit and suitability for CINT. Approved proposals will have an 18-month duration. An executed user agreement between CINT and the user institution(s) must be in place prior to starting the approved project. For no-fee access, the project results must be published in peer-reviewed technical publications in order to comply with federal requirements.
Leveraged capabilities
In addition to CINT capabilities, prospective users may also request access to a variety of world-class leveraged capabilities hosted at Los Alamos and Sandia national laboratories. These capabilities include selected ion beam assisted synthesis and characterization techniques, modeling and simulation tools using high performance computing, and coordinated proposals with the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Pulsed Field Facility.
Review Process
The Proposal Review Committee (PRC) will use criteria endorsed by the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics to evaluate user proposals. The principle criteria will be science quality, followed by relevance to CINT themes and programs. Proposals for proprietary use will follow a similar but separate process. PRC members will provide a spread in scores between highest and lowest rated proposals thereby providing the basis for CINT resource allocation. The CINT Management Team will balance PRC recommendations with available center resources to decide on awarding final user access.
Proposal Approval
- You will receive formal notification of the decision regarding your User Proposal.
- Upon approval of your proposal, the CINT User Office will contact you to determine and schedule applicable training, assist with travel arrangements, initiate any required foreign national access approvals, and help with other needs you may have.
- If you are not a U.S. citizen (or are bringing a non-U.S. citizen team member), please contact the CINT User Office as soon as you receive notice of the visit dates.
- All safety and badging rules of the Los Alamos and Sandia national laboratories must be followed while on site. Appropriate safety training will be provided.
- Reprints of publications resulting from work done at CINT must be sent to the CINT User Office at cint@lanl.gov. Publications must credit the CINT facility.
