Science and Engineering at The University of Edinburgh

School of GeoSciences

Research Facilities

Section Contents

Documents & Reports

Private

IMF Documents

DOWNLOADS


Download IMF Application Form
Download IMF Guidance Notes
Download NERC Policy and Processes Manual for Facilities/Access/Eligibility etc
Download NERC Research Grant Handbook - Section K

ELIGIBILITY

Anyone who is eligible to apply for a NERC Research Grant is eligible to apply for Facility time. Facility staff are NOT eligible to apply. Other scientists and commercial users may gain access to the Facility for a charge.

ACCESS

There are two routes for eligible staff to access the Facility. In both cases an application form must be completed and submitted to the Facility. The final file size should be below 5Mb and in Microsoft Word document format.

Direct Access to the Facility via NERC Services and Facilities
Access is through the completion of the Ion Microprobe Application Form and is free of charge. The proposal will be assessed by the Ion Microprobe Facility Steering Committee that meets twice a year. The application should not above ~10% of the Facilities capacity (~2-3 weeks/yr). A successful project will be allocated Facility time arranged between the Facility Staff and the applicant. After training, and with supervision, users will be expected to operate the instrument themselves. A successful applicant is required to sign NERCs Data Protocol agreement prior to starting work.
Access Through NERC Research Grant Proposals.
If a Research Grant Proposal submitted to NERC requires Ion Microprobe time, then this must be costed into the application under ‘other directly incurred costs’. The required ion microprobe work and the costs involved should be discussed with the Ion Microprobe Facility Staff before the Grant Proposal is submitted.
Following approval of the NERC grant, access for Facility time is then made via the completion of the Ion Microprobe Application Form and a successful project will be allocated Facility time arranged between the Facility Staff and the applicant. This ‘double jeopardy’ is justified in the NERC Policy and Processes Manual above. After training, and with supervision, users will be expected to operate the instrument themselves. A successful applicant is required to sign NERCs Data Protocol agreement prior to starting work.

PILOT STUDIES AND SHORT PROJECTS

For work that requires one day (8hr), or for a pilot study, a shorter application is sufficient. This application form is the same as the full application, but less detail is required. One Day Applications are assessed and graded by the Chair and one or more members of the IMF Committee and provide rapid access to the Facility for pilot studies and short projects

TIME OF ACCESS

After a project has been approved by the Committee and the applicant has received acknowledgement from NERC, there maybe a delay of up to six months before instrument time is available, but the Facility Staff always try to be flexible and meet the applicants time restraints.

PUBLICATION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As the Facility receives support from NERC, any data produced from the Facility must acknowledge NERC for their support.

All Facility staff take an active interest in assisting and supporting visitors to the Facility. There is no requirement or expectation for IMF staff to become co-author on any publication unless the staff member was part of the initial science proposal. If, however, the visiting scientist wishes to acknowledge the support received, then the group name EIMF (Edinburgh Ion Microprobe Facility) maybe added as a co-author.