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A National User Facility for the Scientific Community

Getting Started Accessing EMSL

Access to the broad range of capabilities for molecular studies available in the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL) is through a user proposal process. By responding to different Calls for Proposals, users have the opportunity to choose from different options regarding the speed of access and the length of time over which a proposal may remain active.

Submitting a User Proposal via EMSL website

The EMSL Proposal Process basically consists of filling out an online form, which consists of two parts:

  1. providing information about the authors, answering various questions, and selecting requested EMSL resources. We suggest that you collect the necessary information (pdf 58kb) before you begin submission of your proposal.
  2. attaching a 3-page description of the proposed research, CV, and any other requested or optional supplemental information so that your proposal contains appropriate information for a thorough peer review. Note: Authors can add any supplement information they think is necessary but there is no guarantee that the reviewers will read it.

Proposal Activity Checklist

For your convenience, follow this activity checklist (pdf 52kb) to ensure a smooth proposal submission process.

User Proposal Opportunities

Users are encouraged to submit proposals in response to a periodic or continuous Calls for Proposals. Different options for the type of proposal, type of access, and proprietary status are available to optimize scientific impact and facilitate evolution of EMSL capabilities and science to address cutting-edge science questions. The table below summarizes general information about proposal opportunities. Be sure to review call updates for the status of current or future calls for proposals.

  Science Theme Call Computationally Intensive5 Capability-based Call Open Call Standard3 Open Call Rapid
Duration 1 year 1 year 1 year 1 year 1 month
Possible Extensions 2 2 1 0 0
Frequency each spring each spring varies continuous continuous
Limits 75,000 node-hours MPP24 2,000,000 node-hours Chinook4 100,000 node-hours Chinook4 75,000 node-hours MPP24 demonstrated immediate need
Can Be Partner1,2 Yes No Yes Yes No

1 Partner proposals requires letter of intent
2 No proprietary or partner use of MPP2 or Chinook
3 Proprietary proposals will be considered under Open Call Standard but require discussions with EMSL Contracts and Business Offices to establish a contract with Battelle to reimburse the DOE for all incurred costs which include, but are not limited to, labor, equipment usage, consumables, materials, EMSL staff travel, etc.
4 MPP2 = HP Linux Cluster with 2 single-core processors/node
Chinook = HP Linux Cluster with 2 quad-core processors /node
5 Formerly Computational Grand-Challenge Call

Upon submission, you will receive confirmation and an ID number to be used for subsequent tracking of your proposal. If your proposal is accepted, you will be notified via email by EMSL User Services and provided with details on initiating your research.

User Proposal Process

For more detailed information about the EMSL Proposal Process, see the flow-chart that illustrates the process.

Contact

Nancy Foster-Mills, Ph.D.
EMSL User Administration Manager
509/371-6009
emsl@pnl.gov