Proposal Process
Gain access to EMSL resources through the peer-reviewed proposal process detailed below. EMSL's Proposal Checklist is available to help guide users through this process.
Additional Information
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Contact an EMSL staff member (recommended)
Learn about EMSL’s Science, including research within the four Science Themes and Grand Challenges, and about EMSL’s unique and state-of-the-art Capabilities. Potential EMSL users are encouraged to contact the EMSL staff member associated with the instrument of interest to your research.
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Submit a proposal via the EMSL User Portal
Log on to the EMSL User Portal. First-time EMSL users will be directed to create a new User Account. On the Home page, click "Create New Proposal."
Provide information about authors, answer a variety of questions, and select requested EMSL resources. Collecting the Required Information is helpful prior to beginning the proposal submission process.
Attach a three-page description of your research (see Proposal Guidelines for more detail), CV, and any other supplemental information that was requested by an EMSL staff member or that will strengthen your proposal to facilitate a thorough peer review.
Upon submission, you will receive confirmation and an ID number to be used for subsequent tracking of this proposal.
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Stand by while your proposal is processed by EMSL staff
This process comprises three parts: proposal screening and review, resource allocation and scheduling, and notification to the principal investigator pending proposal approval.
Proposal screening and review
Proposals are automatically sent to staff for screening and then sent for peer review as appropriate.
The screening process is to verify that:
- The proposal contains all information required for a thorough review
- EMSL has the capability or capabilities requested (i.e., instruments and staff expertise).
Your proposal will be evaluated by at least two external reviewers on the following Proposal Review Criteria:
- Scientific merit and quality of the proposed research
- Potential of the proposed research to contribute significantly to highly cited publication(s).
A Science Panel review, led by one of EMSL’s Lead Scientists, will score your proposal on the following three criteria:
- Relevance of the proposed research to EMSL's mission
- Impact of the proposed research on one or more of the EMSL Science Themes
- Appropriateness and reasonableness of the request for EMSL resources for the proposed research.
Depending on the scope of your proposal, approval may also be required by:
- Business Office
- EMSL Safety & Health
- Environment
- Animal Care & Use
- Human Studies
- Radiological Engineer.
Resource allocation and scheduling
After the peer-review process is complete, Capability Stewards combine the review information with the resource requests to determine the number of proposals that can be supported and scheduled.
Notification to the principal investigator pending proposal approval
Users whose proposals are accepted will be notified via email from the User Support Office. Notifications for proposals requesting less than one year of access generally take 7-30 days, depending on the resource requested and reviewer response rates. Notifications for proposals submitted in response to specific Calls for Proposals vary and are based on the schedule advertised in the Call.
You will be notified of any User Agreement requirements by the EMSL Support Office. Access to EMSL resources cannot be granted until the necessary Use Agreements are in place.
Appealing a Decision
Users may submit an appeal if they have concerns about how the review process was administered or about the final decision. The proposal author may submit an appeal by emailing the User Support Office with a concise (2-3 paragraphs) summary of the concerns as well as any supporting arguments for reversing the decision. All appeals are reviewed by the Appeals Committee, headed by EMSL's Chief Science Officer. The User Support Office will coordinate with the committee, and notify the user of the committee’s decision within 4 weeks from receipt of the appeal. All decisions by the Appeals Committee are final.
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Visit EMSL or arrange remote use
Upon notification, users are assigned an EMSL staff member as host. The host will work with you and the User Support Office to coordinate your access to EMSL resources.
All EMSL users must be processed for access to EMSL or its resources. This process can take up to two months, and visitor badging must be arranged before a user’s arrival. Learn more about the badging process, its requirements, and other details about Visiting EMSL.
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Close out
Prior to leaving EMSL, (a) identify and list for disposal or (b) return to your home institutions: all chemical and biological samples.
The host will work with you and the User Support Office to coordinate your access to EMSL resources.
