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Apply for Beamtime

  1. Determine which beamline will be needed for your project:
    • Review beamline techniques and parameters in the ALS Beamline Directory (click on the beamline number for more details and points of contact).
    • Contact the appropriate beamline scientist to confirm whether the desired beamline will meet your research needs.
    • If the beamline choice is unclear, contact the User Services Group Leader for help.
  2. Determine which proposal submission type is appropriate for your project (see additional information in the next section of this page):
    • General User Proposal (GUP)
    • Rapid Access Proposal (RAPIDD)
    • Approved Program (AP) Proposal
  3. Create an account on the ALSHub user portal:
    • Please complete your registration by logging in and completing the profile form before closing the browser.
    • You do not have to submit a proposal the same day you create an account.
  4. Submit a proposal:
    • When logged in to ALSHub, click “Submit and view proposals” in the proposal section.
    • Click on the appropriate button to create/submit a GUP, RAPIDD, or AP proposal.
    • Follow the instructions to complete your submission.
Video instructions on how to create an ALSHub account can be found here.

Types of Proposals

General User Proposals (GUPs)

GUPs are the most common proposal type. They accommodate users who want to establish an ongoing research project as well as those performing a single experiment that need more time than is offered through a RAPIDD proposal. GUPs may be submitted every six months and can remain active for up to two years. Proposal writing guidelines are also provided via the links below.

Proposal deadlines:

  • January–June operating cycle: 1st Wednesday in September
  • July–December operating cycle: 1st Wednesday in March

Proposals are accepted until 11:59 pm, Pacific time zone on the Wednesdays listed above.

Rapid Access Proposals, Industry, and Director’s Discretion (RAPIDD)

The RAPIDD proposal process accommodates users requiring limited but rapid access to ALS beamtime. It includes rapid access for general science and structural biology users, industry users, and those wishing to be considered for director’s discretionary time.

Proposal deadline: RAPIDD proposals may be submitted at any time.

Approved Program (AP) Proposals

AP proposals enable an investigator or a group of investigators to receive an assured percentage of beamtime for a period of several years to carry out an extended program of research. AP users partner with ALS staff on their research programs and develop new tools and/or new research protocols that will be made available to the general user population. APs are arranged for a period of time up to three years.

Proposal deadlines: January 15 and July 15

Joint Access to the Molecular Foundry

Users can request joint access to the Molecular Foundry, a nanoscience user facility at Berkeley Lab, to support their ALS activities. Available resources include sample preparation and complementary characterization techniques. We recommend exploring the expertise and instrumentation available and contacting the scientists directly to discuss the feasibility of your research plans. You may also reach out to the Foundry User Office directly with your questions. Users should review these guidelines before submitting a proposal with a request for Molecular Foundry support.