General User Program Overview
The APS makes beamtime available to the international scientific community through the General User Program. Proposals from General Users are submitted, reviewed, and allocated time through a centralized, Web-based process.
The proposal submission, review, and allocation cycle occurs three times a year (roughly in March, July, and October), prior to each APS run cycle.
In brief, proposals are peer-reviewed and rated, and beam time is allocated on the basis of these reviews by one of two Beam Time Allocation Committees. Once time has been allocated, the beamline staff schedule the proposals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Answers to some of the most common questions about the proposal process and the online proposal system.