Partner Users

Partner Users are individuals or groups whose work involves a greater degree of collaboration with the APS than is generally expected of General Users. Partner Users conduct scientific research that contributes (or has a strong potential to contribute) to the facility or user community. A partner user may propose to develop a new capability or beamline; design, build, and operate a full sector; build a new user community; engage in outreach activities; or perform other activities outside the scope of the APS General User Program.

The criteria for evaluation of Partner User proposals are the same as those used to evaluate General User proposals: scientific merit, technical feasibility, capability of the investigators, need for (and availability of) the resource (APS or appropriate sector), with one addition: positive impact of the partnership on general users. Particular emphasis is given to scientific merit and impact on the general user community.

Further definition of Partner User arrangements can be found on the User Policies and Procedures page.

Types of Partner Users

  • Collaborative Access Teams (CATs)—an external group that builds and operates a beamline
  • Collaborative Development Team (CDT)—an external group that drives the development of a beamline which will be ultimately operated by the APS
  • Partner User (limited scope)—a group that requires guaranteed access to up to 30% of the beam time on a beamline over a period of up to three years (this is the meaning of the term "partner user" in the online proposal system)

Applying for Beam Time—Partner User (Limited Scope)

  • Calendars
     Proposal deadlines (synchronized with the General User deadlines); run start and end dates.
  • Beam Time Access System Login
    Link to the system for creating, editing, and viewing proposals and requesting additional time on existing proposals.
  • Policy and Procedure
    Full details of Partner User arrangements.
  • Review (password required)
    Lists of proposals for review.

Applying for Beam Time—CATs and CDTs