Guaranteed proprietary beamtime, scheduled around your needs.
If your research depends on reliable, ongoing access to synchrotron beamlines, PRT membership is the way to secure it. PRT members contribute to the operating and capital expenses of beamlines 5.0.1 and 5.0.2 on Sector 5. In exchange, they receive a guaranteed percentage of available beamtime, reserved as closely as possible to their scheduling preferences.
Why join a PRT?
- Guaranteed beamtime. Your membership secures a set percentage of available beamtime, so you can plan experiments with confidence instead of depending on each beamtime cycle.
- Scheduling that fits your research. Your reserved time is arranged as closely as possible to your scheduling preferences.
- Priority over general users. PRT members receive priority when requesting beamtime.
- First in line for extra time. When time is cancelled or goes unused, you can ask at any time to be moved to the top of the waiting list.
- An investment in the beamlines you rely on. Your contribution supports the operating and capital expenses of beamlines 5.0.1 and 5.0.2.
- Open to industry and academia. Companies and academic groups are both eligible.
PRT membership at a glance
| General User | PRT Member | |
| Beamtime access | Standard beamtime request process | Guaranteed percentage of available beamtime |
| Scheduling | Based on availability | Reserved as closely as possible to your preferences |
| Priority when requesting time | Standard | Priority over general users |
| Cancelled or unused time | Standard waiting list | May ask at any time to move to the top of the waiting list |
| How access is obtained | Request through the general user process | Contribute to beamline operating and capital expenses |
Is a PRT right for your team?
PRT membership may be a good fit if your group runs ongoing research programs, needs predictable access on a schedule you can plan around, or wants to be first in line when extra time opens up.
How to join
- Contact us to discuss membership. Reach out to Daniil Prigozhin at DaniilPrigozhin@lbl.gov or Stacey Ortega at SLOrtega@lbl.gov to learn about reserved beamtime and your options.
- Put the required agreements in place. The appropriate fully executed ALS User agreements must be in place before your beamtime.
- Submit your funding. PRT funding, and any applicable proprietary funding, must be received by LBNL at least five business days before your beamtime.
Planning proprietary research as a PRT member? See our Proprietary and Non-proprietary Beamtime page for details on proprietary agreements and account balances.
Ready to secure your beamtime? Contact Daniil Prigozhin | Contact Stacey Ortega | Learn more about PRT membership
PRT Membership FAQ
What is a Participating Research Team (PRT)?
A PRT is a company or academic group that contributes to the operating and capital expenses of beamlines 5.0.1 and 5.0.2 on Sector 5. In exchange, PRT members receive a guaranteed percentage of available beamtime.
What do I get as a PRT member?
PRT members receive a guaranteed percentage of available beamtime, reserved as closely as possible to their scheduling preferences. They also have priority over general users when requesting beamtime, and they may ask at any time to be moved to the top of the waiting list for cancelled or unused time.
Who can become a PRT member?
Both companies and academic groups can become PRT members.
How is PRT membership different from being a general user?
General users request beamtime through the standard process. PRT members have reserved beamtime on an ongoing basis, priority when requesting time, and the option to move to the top of the waiting list when time is cancelled or unused.
How much beamtime will I receive?
PRT members receive a guaranteed percentage of available beamtime. To discuss the amount that fits your research needs, contact Daniil Prigozhin at DaniilPrigozhin@lbl.gov or Stacey Ortega at SLOrtega@lbl.gov.
What does PRT membership cost?
Membership involves contributing to the operating and capital expenses of beamlines 5.0.1 and 5.0.2. For details on costs and terms, contact Daniil Prigozhin or Stacey Ortega.
Can I choose when I get my beamtime?
Your reserved time is scheduled as closely as possible to your scheduling preferences.
What happens if beamtime is cancelled or goes unused?
PRT members may ask at any time to be moved to the top of the waiting list for cancelled or unused time.
What do I need to do before my beamtime?
Two things must be in place:
- The appropriate fully executed ALS User agreements must be on file before your beamtime.
- PRT funding, and any applicable proprietary funding, must be received by LBNL at least five business days before your beamtime.
Can I do proprietary research as a PRT member?
Absolutely! All you need is a fully executed ALS Proprietary User Agreement in place with LBNL, and your proprietary funding received by LBNL at least five business days before your beamtime. To get started, contact Veronica Rivas-Yoos at vryoos@lbl.gov, who handles proprietary agreements and account balances. For more detail, see our Proprietary and Non-proprietary Beamtime page.
How do I get started?
Contact Daniil Prigozhin at DaniilPrigozhin@lbl.gov or Stacey Ortega at SLOrtega@lbl.gov to discuss membership.