Long Term Access

Long Term Proposals (LTPs) are a mode of access whereby a PI can plan a series of experiments to take place over four six-month allocation periods. LTPs are very useful where a series of experiments, potentially on different instruments, will be required in order to answer a scientific problem.

While preparing the proposal, it must be clear how the proposed experiments on the requested instruments form a single piece of work to span the two year period. In addition, only instruments accepting Long Term Proposals at the start of the proposal can be included. The award of an LTP is based on the scientific merit of the proposed science.

All Long Term proposals should be submitted on line in UAS.

Download the Guidelines for LTPs.

Workflow

An Outline of the Workflow for an LTP

The first stage in the life of an LTP is when the proposal is created and submitted to the Diamond User Administration System (UAS: uas.diamond.ac.uk). It is in this stage that the overall scientific programme for the LTP is presented to the Peer Review Panel for review. The scientific case for an LTP is only reviewed and graded once in its life cycle. In addition to the scientific case for support, there should be a justification of the instrument time that will be required to deliver the science proposed in the whole programme.

Before the awarded instrument time from the first stage takes place, the second call for proposals will be announced. At this stage it is necessary to:

• check that the proposal is still correct

• submit a specific request for the instrument time needed in the second allocation period.

At the third call for proposals it is necessary to:

• check that the proposal is still correct

• submit a specific request for the instrument time needed in the third allocation period

• submit a report for the work carried out in the first allocation period.

At the fourth call for proposals it is necessary to:

• check that the proposal is still correct

• submit a specific request for the instrument time needed in the fourth allocation period

• submit a report for the work carried out in the second allocation period.

After completion of the LTP, it is necessary to complete a final report to indicate the outcome of the proposed work. This will be reviewed alongside future proposals to Diamond.

Whilst the Peer Review Panel will not re-judge the quality of science within the approved LTP, they will be responsible for judging effective use of Diamond instruments, and the progress of the goals and in the light of its judgement will adjust the allocation of time in subsequent allocation periods.

Roles Within LTPs

Principal Investigator

Each LTP has a Principal Investigator (PI). The PI is responsible for:

all contact between the LTP and Diamond (e.g. User Office, beamline and safety staff)
ensuring that members of the LTP are aware of the access within the allocation periods (APs) and are ready to perform experiments
ensuring that all deadlines and reports within the UAS are met.

Alternate Contact

An LTP can have any number of Alternate Contacts (ACs) who have permissions in UAS to carry out all the administrative tasks of a PI. They are included on all communication sent by UAS to the LTP along with the PI.

Co-Investigator

Everyone who is on the proposal but is not the PI or an AC will be registered as a Co-Investigator (Co-I).

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