The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, ESRF, is Europe’s most powerful Synchrotron Radiation source, financed by 17 countries, and dedicated to cutting-edge research over a broad range of science.

Access to some 40 experimental stations is free of charge for user teams intending to publish their results. For industrial or proprietary research, a fee is payable according to the amount of beam time and ESRF staff expertise required.

Beamlines at ESRF operate 24 hours a day in three shifts, each of 8 hours. In most cases, beamlines dedicate 425 shifts per year to peer-reviewed projects. Beamlines built and operated by Collaborating Research Groups (CRGs) make 1/3 of their beam time available for ESRF peer-reviewed projects.

Applications for beam time for experiments at ESRF are submitted electronically for two deadlines each year: 1st March and 1st September. In special cases, where projects require a commitment over a longer, two-year period, ESRF also accepts a limited number of Long Term Projects.

Proposals are selected and beam time allocations are made through peer review.

Invitations for experiments, together with detailed instructions, are sent to the proposer(s) concerned by the ESRF User Office, several weeks ahead of a scheduled experiment. A scientist familiar with the beamline is assigned as the Local Contact for each experiment, to guide the user team with their measurements. Please see the specific guidelines to users.

Arrangements for meals and accommodation for all users are made by ESRF, in order to allow experimental teams to concentrate entirely on science. ESRF contributes to the travel and subsistence expenses of 3 scientists affiliated with laboratories in contracting party countries, per experiment.

Scientists awarded beam time are expected to publish their results and give proper credit to ESRF staff members and experimental facilities.