Name, affiliation, current position, e-mail address of the Principal Investigator

Applications are invited from UK academics who are eligible to apply for responsive-mode Research Council funding or researchers of similar standing based in industry.

A user can submit more than one application but the total requested time (as PI) cannot exceed 28 days. Note that a separate application must be submitted for each distinct project.

If the PI wishes (note it is not a requirement), he/she may indicate in the pdf description (within the 2 page limit): an order of prioritisation, where the PI is submitting more than one application.

Project funding

Specify any funding from an external source (e.g., research council, charity, EU, industry) for the described project. For research council funding, specify the grant number(s) and start and end dates.

Who will perform the experiments

The PI is required to indicate in the appropriate tick box that the PI has identified or will be able to identify trained solid-state NMR spectroscopists to carry out the experiments (this can be, but is not required to be, the PI him/herself). If this is not the case, the PI must indicate that he/she has contacted the facility manager in advance of submitting an application, and agreed a collaborative arrangement with the facility manager relating to the facility manager's role in carrying out the experiments.

If the PI wishes (note it is not a requirement), he/she may indicate in the pdf description (within the 2 page limit): the names and experience of those who would be carrying out the experiments at the facility

Safety Instructions

Users must clearly state any safety or special handling issues relating to their samples (they should contact the facility manager in advance of submitting a proposal if the samples present a significant health risk and/or require specialised handling). A sample safety information form must be submitted (by email to the facility manager) at least one week before the allocated experimental time. You are also required to bring paper copies of the completed sample safety information form(s). Note that the Millburn House Magnetic Resonance facility that houses the 850 MHz spectrometer is equipped with a preparation area including a fume cupboard, which can be used by users of the facility when packing their samples. A freezer or fridge is available for the short-term storage of samples.

Project description

In addition to filling out the online form, each application must be accompanied by a description (maximum 2 pages) that contains the following sections

• (1) Introduction and scientific background.
• (2) Preliminary data obtained at lower field and/ or previous results obtained at the 850 MHz facility.
• (3) Justification for the need for high-field (or other specialised facility probe capabilities).
• (4)Experiments to be performed: to include a list of all samples, which probe(s) and which configuration (i.e., nuclei, required MAS frequency and nutation frequency) is/ are required, and any special experimental conditions (e.g., high or low temperature). (The 850 MHz spectrometer is equipped with a wide range of probes – MAS experiments can be carried out with air or N2 – please check the probe webpages and consult the facility manager in advance if you have a query.) Clearly indicate the number of days requested IN BOLD for each experiment or set of experiments. Ensure that the sum equals the total number of days requested as stated on the online form.
• (5) Additional optional information: If the PI wishes (note it is not a requirement), he/she may indicate in the pdf description (within the 2 page limit): (i) an order of prioritisation, where the PI is submitting more than one application; (ii) the names and experience of those who would be carrying out the experiments at the facility.

The description is to be a maximum of TWO pages, and standard research council formatting rules apply, i.e., margins (top, bottom, left, and right) all at least 2 cm, font size (for a standard font such as Arial or Times New Roman) of at least size 11. The description is to be submitted in pdf (preferred) or Word format.

Applicants are made aware of the following conditions:

• The facility must be acknowledged in any publication or presentation arising wholly or partly from an allocation of time. Specifically, the funding agencies need to be acknowledged using the provided wording (in a paper) or the funding logos (available as a pdf or ppt file) in a talk or poster.
• Note the reporting requirements
• The code for all NMR pulse sequences implemented by a user on the facility’s spectrometer must be deposited in a shared database. For new pulse sequences, the code will be available to other users once the pulse sequence has been published.

Applicants will be informed of their time allocation following the meeting of the time allocation panel, this is expected to be approximately one month after the call deadline i.e., early January or end June/early July. At this stage, you will be given one week’s notice to indicate dates when you are not able to use your allocation and also to specify if you prefer to have your time as one slot or broken up into separate slots. (If you know that you will away in this time window, please inform the facility manager in advance of your availability.) You will then be informed of your allocated days. At this latter stage, the facility has little flexibility (and is under no obligation) to change your allocated days, hence we emphasise that you must tell us your availability at the requested time.

If a user who has been allocated time at the facility does not have access to the Bruker TOPSPIN 2 processing software in their home institution, they will be able to request (by email to the facility manager) a single software licence, such that they can then process data obtained at the facility.

Reasonable travel and accommodation costs associated with the use of the facility will be paid to academic users (costs for a maximum of 2 people per visit will be paid). Specifically, for users travelling with public transport, it is acceptable to claim for the cost of a taxi between Coventry station (or Birmingham aiport) and the facility on the day of arrival at and the day of departure from the facility.

Funded proposals will be publicised on the facility website (only the name and affilitiation of the PI (and coIs), together with the project title will be indicated).