LaserNetUS encourages scientists from diverse fields to propose experiments utilizing the consortium’s wide-ranging capabilities. International Principal Investigators are welcome. We recommend that scientists describe well-posed experiments. Proposals must include brief discussions of the expected scientific or technological impact and anticipated feasibility and probability of success of experiments. Proposals that include a clear description of the expected schedule, indicating the scope, have a better chance of being selected.
Proposal Review Process
Proposal Guidelines and Required Content
- Safety
Safety related documents must be submitted during the safety management portion of the LaserNetUS proposal submission process in the user portal. List and describe any safety concerns that may arise with samples you will examine, equipment you will use, or techniques you will perform (including any physical, chemical or biological hazards) and how these issues will be addressed. - Cost
There is no cost to submit proposals or conduct experiments at the participating institutions. Users are generally responsible for their own travel and target expenses as well as any extraordinary consumables required by the experiment. - Designating Primary and Secondary Facility
Each proposal is for one specific experiment, with the option to designate first and second choice for a facility. - Scientific Campaigns
Proposals may be made in the context of a larger scope than can be covered in a single experiment. All proposals, even these broader proposals that address important problems, must be resubmitted each cycle in order to be peer reviewed and considered for facility time. However, in the absence of sufficient information to evaluate progress (data disseminated from previous facility time, publications, etc.), the PRP may recommend that some proposal(s) be postponed for consideration until a future review cycle. - Publication Record from Previous LaserNetUS Experiments
In future calls, the PRP will pay particular attention to the applicants' publication record from prior LaserNetUS facility times. Failure to publish in a timely manner will impact the chances of a successful application in a similar area. - Multiple Submissions
Multiple submissions from the same team for similar experiments at different LaserNetUS facilities will not be considered. While there is no limit to the number of distinct proposals that can be submitted by a scientist or team, the Proposal Review Panel (PRP) may impose a relative advantage to the first-best proposal from each team. - Resubmission
Proposals can be re-submitted at each call, but this will not happen automatically and a re-submission will not receive preference during the review process. - Scheduling Accommodations during COVID-19 Pandemic
LaserNetUS will make every effort to schedule runs as outlined in this call for proposals and, once scheduled, to execute the runs on time. However, unforeseen changes either in the ability of our users to travel and perform the run or in a facility’s ability to admit users may require flexibility by all. Users whose proposals are selected for run-time should be in regular contact with LaserNetUS to prepare for their runs. - Remote Operation and Facility Availability
Due to the complex environment existing nationally, the availability and constraints at each facility differs. Some facilities are offering, or may offer, remote operation. In this mode, users are not on-site but instead participate in their run online while facility staff setup and execute the run. Some facilities may offer remote operation only on a case-by-case basis depending on the technical challenges and collaborative nature of the proposed experiment. Proposers should contact their preferred facilities before the proposal deadline to discuss this if desired. - Required Language
Proposal teams must acknowledge the host institution and DOE Office of Science in presentations and publications using the template: "This work was supported by DOE Office of Science, Fusion Energy Sciences under Contract No. [LaserNetUS contract number from facility]: the LaserNetUS initiative at [Facility]," and any other acknowledgement required by the host institution.
Changes since Cycle 3
- With the recent decommissioning of the HERCULES laser, the Center for Ultrafast Optical Science (CUOS) at the University of Michigan will no longer available for LaserNetUS experiments.
- The Jupiter Laser Facility (JLF) will resume operations of the Titan Laser.
- The Institute for the Frontier of Attosecond Science and Technology (iFAST) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) has joined LaserNetUS however they will not be accepting proposals for LaserNetUS experiments yet during Cycle 4.
- The Diocles 0.7 PW beamline at the Extreme Light Laboratory (ELL) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) is unavailable for user experiments during Cycle 4 due to essential maintenance and repairs.
Ready to Submit Your Proposal?
Submission Schedule
Cycle | Type | Proposal deadline | Cycle begins | Cycle ends | Awards |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | LaserNetUS standard proposal call | Mar. 18, 2019 4pm PST | July 2019 | Dec. 2019 | Cycle 1 |
2 | LaserNetUS standard proposal call | Sept. 6, 2019 4pm PST | Jan. 2020 | Dec. 2020 | Cycle 2 |
3 | LaserNetUS standard proposal call | Dec. 11, 2020 4pm PST | June 2021 | June 2022 | Cycle 3 |
4 | LaserNetUS standard proposal call | Dec. 10, 2021 4pm PST | July 2022* | July 2023 | Cycle 4 |
*Earliest start date will depend on facility readiness and proposal feasibility.
Proposal Review Process
- Pre-Review / Conflict of Interest (COI) Stage
PRP members review basic proposal information. Potential COI are identified and addressed by the Chair of the PRP.
- Initial Review Stage
The Chair assigns 3 reviewers to each proposal and designates a primary and secondary reviewer. PRP members are required to read, at minimum, the abstract of all other proposals. Proposals are scored on Intellectual Merit (75%) and Broader Impact (25%).
- Final Review Stage
Initial ranking by Chair based on reviews. Primary reviewers lead discussion of each proposal. New rank ordering and sorting by facility. Overall science mix assessed.
- Facility Feasibility Review
The top ranked proposals for each facility will be sent to the Facility Directors for evaluation of technical feasibility.
- Final Decision
PRP review and feasibility review integrated by PRP. Final list of awards submitted to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Fusion Energy Sciences (FES). Decision letters emailed to each PI and facility Director.