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Call for Proposals : Categories

Updated: October 1, 2023

There are 6 categories for the academic proposals. Please select appropriate one based on the following explanation.

Type G (General) Type P (PF-beginners) Type S1(Special1) Type S2(Special2) Type T (Ph.D.Student) Type U (Urgent and Important)
CategoryDescriptionDeadlineTerm of Validity
G (General)
 General experiments First term: Middle of November
Second term: Middle of May		 2 years
Description
  • General experiments with synchrotron radiation
  • It is for researchers who have experienced general experiments with synchrotron radiation, or are equivalent to do.
Remarks
  • (This condition below was added from first term, FY2023.)
    Graduate students who are enrolled in Doctoral course of university in Japan, and have performed experiments with synchrotron radiation before. (including 2nd-year-students of Master course who are expected to go to Doctoral course by starting date of experiment.)
Reviewing process
  1. Review by the beamline scientists. (for reference only)
  2. Preliminary-review by 3 referees.
  3. Overall review by PF-PAC (Photon Factory Program Advisory Committee) members
Reviewing points
  • Academic and technical value (Overall review in terms of both points of view.)
  • Technical feasibility
  • Capability of the experimental group
What to do before applying
  • At the time your proposal becomes effective, if you are a Ph.D. student, please consult your academic supervisor before applying.
What to do after your proposal is approved
  • If you are a Ph.D. student and you will be a spokesperson, you need to ask your academic supervisor to submit "Pledge" before experiments, (designated format) which says you and your academic supervisor will take joint responsibility regarding safety and compensation for damages caused by experiments.
Beamtime Allocation
  • Allocation is decided by Beamtime Allocation Committee based on your score.
  • If your score is low, even if your proposal is approved, there is a possibility you will not have a beamtime.
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CategoryDescriptionDeadlineTerm of Validity
P(PF-beginners)
 Experiments by novice users At any time About 1 year
(After your proposal is selected, over a year until end of March or September, whichever comes first.)
Description
  • This is designed to prevent beginners from disadvantages by evaluating their proposal same as Type G. We hope it encourages beginners to use our facilities.
  • "Beginners" mean not only beginners who have never used synchrotron radiation facilities, but also performed the experimental method. For example, if you have experienced Protein Crystallography, but not Small Angle X-ray Scattering, that is the case.
  • You can add experienced synchrotron radiation users to your group.
  • This category is one step before applying for Type G and is not a short-term experiment.
  • We stopped doing preliminary experiments for Type P since 2020. If you would like to do it, consult to beamline scientists in experimental stations.
Remarks
  1. Total beamtime in the term of validity is within 120 hours as a general rule. Chairperson of PF-PAC will set it based on the referees' comments and beamline scientists in the experimental stations.
  2. One spokesperson can not apply more than one Type P proposal for the overlapped validity period.
  3. Active proposals for each experimental station should be less than 3 proposals.
  4. Please note that applications may be declined.
Reviewing process
  1. Review by beamline scientists in experimental stations. (for reference only)
  2. Preliminary review by 2 referees
  3. Chairperson of PF-PAC determines acceptance or rejection and beamtime allocation. (The result will be reported to PF-PAC.)
Reviewing points
  • Academic and technical value. (Overall review in terms of both points of view.)
  • Necessity and relevancy for applying Type P.
What to do before applying
  • Discuss well with beamline scientists in experimental stations about technical feasibility. (On the application form, there is a checklist if you have done.)
  • If there is an experienced user in your group, he/she may do. If so, please contact beamline scientists in experimental stations as soon as possible.
  • If you do not know who to consult, which beamline you should choose, contact to the PF consultation service, pfexconsult[at]pfiqst.kek.jp for assistance. We will arrange that the relevant beamline scientists will contact you.
What to do after your proposal is selected
  • We expect that you will apply for Type G next time.
Beamtime Allocation
  • Beamtime will be preferentially allocated.
  • You can start experiments if you have available or reserved beamtime as soon as your proposal is selected.
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CategoryDescriptionDeadlineTerm of Validity
S1 (Special 1)
 Project research with remodelling, constructing beamlines, or setting up large devices. At any time 3-5 years
Description
  • Project research with remodelling, constructing beamlines, or setting up large devices. If you would like to use ongoing beamlines or devices, please apply for Type S2.
  • Part of cost for building devices, experiments etc. might be supported by PF.
Remarks
  • Only proposals reviewed by PF-PAC beforehand can be submitted.
  • In the case of application for Type S1 from outside Japan, the experimental research team must include researchers residing in Japan.
Reviewing process
  • Screening of documents by PF-PAC members.
Reviewing points
  • PF-PAC determines acceptance or rejection, by reviewing. (Scores will not be given.)
What to do before applying
  • The proposal should be reviewed by PF-PAC and you need to get permission to submit.
  • For details, consult to Photon Factory, Institute of Materials Structure Science (PF, IMSS) (pfexconsult[at]pfiqst.kek.jp)
What to do after your proposal is selected
  • Please note that you are obliged to take care of devices, support for other users, even after constructing beamlines and equipment, starting-up phase.
  • After a term of validity, you are strongly encouraged to have research achievements, by submitting a proposal for Type S2. And please keep supporting other users, too.
  • Spokespersons must report your progress at the PF Symposium. Each year, you are required to submit a self-evaluation report, give a 5min oral presentation, and a poster presentation. Your progress will be evaluated by PF-PAC.
  • Please note that overview of your proposal and progress (achievement list, poster session at PF Symposium, PF Activity Report, etc. ) will be released on our website.
Beamtime Allocation
  • You take advantage of using beamtime up to 50% preferentially after establishing beamline, equipment and start-up phase.
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CategoryDescriptionDeadlineTerm of Validity
S2 (Special 2)
 Advanced research projects which require a long period of beamtime and making full use of synchrotron radiation.
Experiments that are technically challenging, but if successful, will be highly regarded. 		First term: Middle of November
Second term: Middle of May		 3 years
Description
  • Type S2 is for advanced research projects which require a long period of beamtime and making full use of synchrotron radiation. However, only existing instruments and beamline (Minor modification is acceptable.) will be available.
  • Experimental group should be ready for spending quite a long time for experiments at PF. We recommend a spokesperson to become a visiting researcher (a visiting professor, etc.) of IMSS and a graduate student to perform experiments mainly to become a special collaborate researcher.
  • Part of cost for building devices, experiments etc. might be supported by PF.
Remarks
  • In the case of application for Type S2 from outside Japan, the experimental research team must include researchers residing in Japan.
Reviewing process
  1. Review by beamline scientists. (for reference only)
  2. Discussion among PF staff for the technical feasibility of your research plan. (Budgets, operation mode, station status, etc.)
  3. Screening of documents by more than 5 members of referees.
  4. Discussion between you and referees.
  5. Relevant of synchrotron radiation experiments in the research projects.
Reviewing points
  • Academic and technical value. (Overall review in terms of both points of view.)
  • Technical feasibility
  • Capability of the experimental group
  • Relevancy to overall project status of PF
  • Necessity and relevancy for applying Type S2
What to do before applying

What to do after your proposal is selected
  • Spokespersons must report your progress at the PF Symposium. You are required to submit a self-evaluation report, give a 5min oral presentation, and a poster presentation, once as a mid-term evaluation and once as a final evaluation. Your progress will be evaluated by PF-PAC.
  • Please note that overview of your proposal and progress (achievement list, poster session at PF Symposium, PF Activity Report, etc. ) will be released on our website.
Beamtime Allocation
  • Considering Type S2 priority, Beamtime Allocation Committee will determine the allocation. However, as a general rule, each beamtime should be less than 25% of total beamtime, and total Type S2 proposals in one beamline should not exceed 50% of the beamtime.
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CategoryDescriptionDeadlineTerm of Validity
T (Ph.D. student)
 PF and university collaborate to educate and support graduate students (Doctoral course) who take initiative advanced research with synchrotron radiation, aiming to foster the future leaders of synchrotron radiation science. First term : Middle of November
Second term : Middle of May		 Maximum 3 years
Until finishing 3rd year Doctoral course)
Description
  • This type is for promoting Ph.D. students to take the initiative in conducting academically highly regarded research.
  • PF and university collaborate to educate, support Ph.D. students to conduct their advanced research making full use of synchrotron radiation.
  • Travel expense within a certain range for preparing experiments and meetings will be paid to support their research.
Remarks
Ph.D. students who apply both 1 and 2 below are eligible to submit a proposal.
  1. Currently studying at domestic university, including 2nd year students of Master course who are expected to move on to Doctoral course by the time the proposals get active, and have performed an experiment with synchrotron radiation.
  2. Having an academic supervisor outside of KEK, and plan to stay for an extended period of time as a special collaborate researcher with host staff from PF, or being expected to be a special collaborate researcher.
Reviewing process
  1. Review by beamline scientists and PF host staff. (for reference only)
  2. Discussion among PF staff for the technical feasibility of your research plan. (Budgets, operation mode, station status, etc.)
  3. Screening of documents by 3 members of referees.
  4. Discussion between you and referees.
  5. Overall review by PF-PAC members.
Reviewing points
  • Academic and technical value. (Overall review in terms of both points of view.)
  • Technical feasibility
  • Applicant's initiative and capability of the experimental group
  • Relevancy to the whole experimental plan and for his/her obtaining Ph.D.
  • It is basically evaluated by the same criteria as Type G, but essential for applicants to have initiative to conduct their research.
What to do before applying
  • Make sure to discuss enough between academic supervisor from university and a host staff from PF.
  • Ask for permission from a PF host staff before submitting a proposal.
What to do after your proposal is selected
  • If your proposal is selected, apply for becoming a special collaborate researcher.
  • By starting time for your experiment, you are required to submit a pledge (designated) by your academic supervisor, which says you and your academic supervisor will be joint responsibility for safety and compensation for damages, caused by experiments in PF.
  • Spokespersons must report your progress at the PF Symposium. Each year, you are required to submit a self-evaluation report and a poster presentation, furthermore, a 5min oral presentation at the final report. Your progress will be evaluated by PF-PAC. You will get some advice to proceed your research.
  • Please note that your proposal overview and profile may be released on our website.
  • You are strongly encouraged to submit a few pages A4 report after your experiment.
Beamtime Allocation
  • Same as Type G, the beamtime is allocated by Beamtime Allocation Committee, according to the rank order of score.
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CategoryDescriptionDeadlineTerm of Validity
U (Urgent and Important)
 Extremely important proposals that are so urgent that they cannot wait for the next PF-PAC and are worth prioritizing over already allocated proposals. At any time. More than 6 months, less than 1 year
Description
  • This is designed for extremely important proposals that are so urgent that they cannot wait for the next PF-PAC and are worth prioritizing over already accepted proposals.
  • Whenever possible, proposals that are not so urgent or important as to require cancellation of allocated beamtime but are of a certain level of urgency or importance will be accepted. (Applications are expected to be submitted for beamlines that have reserved beamtime or beamtime available.)
Remarks

Reviewing process
  1. Review by beamline scientists. (for reference only)
  2. Preliminary review by 3 referees.
  3. Based on the preliminary review, Chairperson of PF-PAC determines the score and acceptance or rejection. (The result will be reported to PAC.)
Reviewing points
  • Academic and technical value. (Overall review in terms of both points of view.)
  • Technical feasibility
  • Capability of the experimental group
  • Necessity and relevancy for applying Type U
What to do before applying

What to do after your proposal is selected
  • Spokespersons are required to make a final report of your results as a poster presentation at the PF Symposium. Depending on the results, oral presentations may be requested.
Beamtime Allocation
  • If a proposal is extremely important and urgent,(i.e., has a high score), beamtime may be allocated on a priority basis even the allocated beamtime is cancelled.
  • If the urgency and importance of the proposal are not so high, beamtime will be allocated according to the same criteria as other proposals. If there is reserved or available beamtime, the experiment can be performed immediately after the proposal approved.
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