178 IV. User Program and Statistics IV. User Program and Statistics IV-1. Program Overview JASRI calls for public use proposals twice a year. The submitted proposals are reviewed by the Proposal Review Committee (PRC). As for General Proposals, 429 proposals out of 680 submitted proposals were approved in the research term 2009B, and 426 out of 593 proposals were approved in 2010A. Since the start of the Long-term Program in 2000B, 30 Long- term Proposals have been implemented, 11 and 10 proposals were carried out in 2009B and 2010A, respectively, which include 5 and 1 proposals newly approved. As for Priority Field Proposals, Nanotechnology Support Proposals, Industrial Application Proposals, Medical Bio Trial Use Proposals and Medical Bio EX Proposals were called for in 2009B, 175 proposals out of 278 submitted proposals were approved. Medical Bio Program was completed by 2009B, in the remaining two fields, 151 proposals out of 218 submitted proposals were approved in 2010A. The proposal statistics are shown in Table IV for the period from 1997B to 2010A; Power User Proposals and JASRI Proposals are excluded. During the period from 2003B to 2010A, 18 user groups were designated as Power User groups (PUs), which include 7 PUs active in 2010A. To date, a total of 3,393 shifts have been used by PUs, of which 630 shifts were spent from 2009B to 2010A. SPring-8 provided 2,087 hours of user beamtime in 2009B and 1,977 hours in 2010A. Since the start of operation in 1997, SPring-8 has succeeded in providing users with a total beamtime of 48,989 hours. In 2009B, 997 experiments were conducted by 6,937 users at public and contract beamlines, and 978 experiments by 6,812 users in 2010A. From the start of operation in 1997 to 2010A, a total of 17,322 experiments were conducted by 117,035 users. The beamtime available to the users, the number of experiments conducted, and the number of user visits at the public and contract beamlines are summarized in Table V and in Fig. 3. Figure 4 shows the breakdown of the approved proposals sorted by user affiliation and of the number of experiments conducted at the public and contract beamlines from 1997B to 2010A. The percentages of experiments conducted by users from abroad were 5.0% in 2009B and 7.4% in 2010A. Since SPring-8 is a public facility widely open not only to academic but also to industrial sectors, JASRI established the Industrial Application Division in 2005. The division's coordinators specializing in the fields of SR industrial applications are available for consultation with new users. Currently, Industrial Application Proposals account for approximately 20% of the total number of proposals conducted at the public beamlines. From 2007B, SPring-8 has introduced the Measurement Service, in which the personnel of the Industrial Application Division can carry out XAFS measurements on behalf of users at BL14B2. SPring-8 has also launched Mail-in Protein Crystallography Data Collection at BL38B1 and Powder X-ray Diffraction at BL19B2 since 2009B. Research Term Beamtime (shifts) Deadline Submitted proposals Approved proposals Notes 1997B-2006B: The number of proposals are indicated as of submission deadline. After 2007A: The total number of proposals are indicated. The number of long-term proposals are counted by beamline, that is, if the project leader uses two beamlines, it is counted as two proposals. 168 204 250 140 204 156 238 190 226 190 228 202 211 203 188 182 220 159 246 216 225 189 195 210 201 198 305 392 431 424 582 502 619 643 751 733 938 772 886 878 973 916 867 1099 1007 1009 1163 979 1076 919 134 229 258 246 326 380 409 457 520 472 563 621 595 562 547 624 699 555 761 721 749 659 654 709 665 1997.1.10 1998.1.6 1998.7.12 1999.6.19 1999.10.16 2000.6.17 2000.10.21 2001.5.26 2001.10.27 2002.6.3 2002.10.28 2003.6.16 2003.11.4 2004.6.9 2005.1.5 2005.6.7 2005.11.15 2006.5.25 2006.11.16 2007.6.7 2007.12.13 2008.6.26 2008.12.11 2009.6.25 2009.12.17 1997B: 1997.10 - 1998.03 1998A: 1998.04 - 1998.10 1999A: 1998.11 - 1999.06 1999B: 1999.09 - 1999.12 2000A: 2000.02 - 2000.06 2000B: 2000.10 - 2001.01 2001A: 2001.02 - 2001.06 2001B: 2001.09 - 2002.02 2002A: 2002.02 - 2002.07 2002B: 2002.09 - 2003.02 2003A: 2003.02 - 2003.07 2003B: 2003.09 - 2004.02 2004A: 2004.02 - 2004.07 2004B: 2004.09 - 2004.12 2005A: 2005.04 - 2005.08 2005B: 2005.09 - 2005.12 2006A: 2006.03 - 2006.07 2006B: 2006.09 - 2006.12 2007A: 2007.03 - 2007.07 2007B: 2007.09 - 2008.02 2008A: 2008.04 - 2008.07 2008B: 2008.10 - 2009.03 2009A: 2009.04 - 2009.07 2009B: 2009.10 - 2010.02 2010A: 2010.04 - 2010.07 Experiments Experiments Users Users User time (hours) Public BL Contract BL Research Term Notes The number of long-term proposals are counted by beamline, that is, if two beamlines were used for one experiment, those are counted as two experiments. 1997B: 1997.10 - 1998.03 1998A: 1998.04 - 1998.10 1999A: 1998.11 - 1999.06 1999B: 1999.09 - 1999.12 2000A: 2000.02 - 2000.06 2000B: 2000.10 - 2001.01 2001A: 2001.02 - 2001.06 2001B: 2001.09 - 2002.02 2002A: 2002.02 - 2002.07 2002B: 2002.09 - 2003.02 2003A: 2003.02 - 2003.07 2003B: 2003.09 - 2004.02 2004A: 2004.02 - 2004.07 2004B: 2004.09 - 2004.12 2005A: 2005.04 - 2005.08 2005B: 2005.09 - 2005.12 2006A: 2006.03 - 2006.07 2006B: 2006.09 - 2006.12 2007A: 2007.03 - 2007.07 2007B: 2007.09 - 2008.02 2008A: 2008.04 - 2008.07 2008B: 2008.10 - 2009.03 2009A: 2009.04 - 2009.07 2009B: 2009.10 - 2010.02 2010A: 2010.04 - 2010.07 1,286 1,702 2,585 1,371 2,051 1,522 2,313 1,867 2,093 1,867 2,246 1,844 2,095 1,971 1,880 1,818 2,202 1,587 2,448 2,140 2,231 1,879 1,927 2,087 1,977 48,989 94 234 274 242 365 383 474 488 545 540 634 549 569 555 560 620 724 550 781 739 769 672 669 722 685 13,437 681 1,252 1,542 1,631 2,486 2,370 2,915 3,277 3,246 3,508 3,777 3,428 3,756 3,546 3,741 4,032 4,809 3,513 4,999 4,814 4,840 4,325 4,240 4,793 4,329 85,850 – 7 33 65 100 88 102 114 110 142 164 154 161 146 146 187 226 199 260 226 232 217 238 275 293 3,885 – – 467 427 794 620 766 977 1,043 1,046 1,347 1,264 1,269 1,154 1,185 1,379 1,831 1,487 2,282 1,938 1,891 1,630 1,761 2,144 2,483 31,185 Table IV. Numbers of submitted proposals and approved proposals by research term Table V. Numbers of experiments and users at public and contract beamlines (by research term) 179 94 241 307 307 465 471 576 655 602 682 798 703 730 701 706 807 950 749 1041 965 234 234 234 7 7 7 274 274 274 33 33 33 242 242 242 65 65 65 365 365 365 100 100 100 383 383 383 88 88 88 474 474 474 102 102 102 488 488 488 114 114 114 545 545 545 110 110 110 540 540 540 142 142 142 634 634 634 164 164 164 549 549 549 154 154 154 569 569 569 161 161 161 555 555 555 146 146 146 560 560 560 146 146 146 620 620 620 187 187 187 724 724 724 226 226 226 550 550 550 199 199 199 781 781 781 260 260 260 739 739 739 226 226 226 997 722 722 722 275 275 275 978 685 685 685 293 293 293 Contract BL Experiments Public BL Experiments Users 681 681 1252 2009 2058 328 328 328 0 0 0 2990 3681 3681 4254 4289 4554 5124 4692 4692 5025 4700 4700 4926 5411 1 664 664 0 0 500 500 0 0 7281 675 675 2 2 6752 673 673 1 1 6731 5955 5 6001 01 693 693 7 7 681 681 2 2 6812 681 1252 2009 2058 3280 2990 3681 4254 4289 4554 5124 4692 5025 4700 4926 5411 6640 5000 7281 6752 6731 5955 6001 6937 6812 1001 769 769 769 232 232 232 889 672 672 672 217 217 217 907 669 669 669 238 238 238 Half-year Research Term 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1997B 1998A 1999A 1999B 2000A 2000B 2001A 2001B 2002A 2002B 2003A 2003B 2004A 2004B 2005A 2005B 2006A 2006B 2007A 2007B 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 Number of Experiments Number of User Visits 2009B 2010A 2008A 2008B 2009A Foreign Private Sector National or Public Research Institute University or Other Educational Institute Half-year Research Term Number of Approved Proposals 100 1997B 1998A 1999A 2000A 1999B 2000B 2001A 2001B 2002A 2002B 2003A 2003B 2004A 2004B 2005A 2005B 2006A 2006B 2007A 0 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 2009B 2010A 2007B 2008A 2008B 2009A Fig. 4. Number of approved proposals by affiliation of applicants (public beamlines). Fig. 3. Numbers of user visits and conducted experiments. 180 IV-2. Types of Research (Proprietary Research and Non-Proprietary Research) With respect to the handling of research results obtained by using SPring-8, there are two types of research at SPring-8, namely, proprietary research and non-proprietary research. For research to be considered non-proprietary, users must submit a SPring-8 Experiment Report within 60 days of the completion of each experiment to make the results available to the public. Users can use beamtime free of charge if their research is non-proprietary. As for proprietary research, research proposals are reviewed only from the viewpoint of feasibility, safety, sociality, and ethics. In this type of research, users are charged a beamtime fee of 480,000 yen/shift based on cost recovery for SPring-8 beamline operation. In return, SPring-8 Experiment Reports need not be submitted. IV-3. Types of Proposals A. General Research Program (i) General Proposal JASRI calls for General Proposals twice a year. Approved proposals are valid for six months. Up to 10% of the total beamtime is allocated to proprietary proposals. (ii) Long-term Proposal Three-year beam access is available for Long-term Proposals for three years in order to promote research expected (a) to produce outstanding results in the field of science and technology, (b) to establish a new research field or experimental method, and (c) to significantly improve industrial base technology by fully utilizing the characteristics of SPring-8. The call for Long-term Proposals and the review process take place twice a year prior to those for General Proposals. For this type of proposal, proprietary research is not available. The review process consists of two steps: application forms are reviewed initially and applicants who meet certain criteria will proceed to the interview. (iii) Urgent Proposal This system is designed for users with urgent needs to conduct experiments of great scientific significance. The PRC reviews submitted proposals on a rolling basis and promptly determines whether to approve or reject each proposals. (iv) Budding Researchers Support Proposal The Budding Researchers Support Program is intended to encourage doctoral students with an exploratory and original research proposal or research theme that is expected to contribute to the development of synchrotron radiation research. Under this program, successful applicants will be provided with domestic travel and lodging expenses. At the time of the experiment at SPring-8, applicants must be doctoral students who show initiative, can work independently, and are self-reliant when conducting research at SPring-8. All applicants are required to obtain permission to apply from their Ph.D. adviser, who must be included as a project team member. (v) Non-proprietary Grant-aided Proposal The Non-proprietary Grant-aided Program is intended for research proposals that have been reviewed and approved for a research grant available in Japan. Under this program, proposals are exempt from a scientific review process, and only the feasibility and safety of the experiment are considered. These proposals are given priority consideration for up to 20% of the user beamtime available at each beamline. Users are required to pay a program fee of 131,000 yen/shift. (vi) Time-designated Proposal The time-designated use is intended for users wishing to conduct proprietary research in a particular time period. The submitted proposals are promptly reviewed through a simplified process. Users are charged a beamtime fee of 720,000 yen/shift for proprietary use (incl. 50% premium). (vii) SPring-8 Measurement Service The staff of JASRI perform measurements on behalf of users, and users can choose whether to come to SPring-8 and be present during the measurements or to simply send their samples to SPring-8. The service is intended to provide convenience for companies and research institutes that find it difficult to retain specialized staff and, to accommodate the need for quick access. Application for the service is considered a proprietary proposal and is subject to the proprietary beamtime and user fees applicable to Time-designated Proposals (calculated in two-hour increments). 181 B. Priority Research Program The Priority Research Program is categorized into the following two types: the priority field type and the priority user type. For the priority field type, JASRI designates research fields of strategic importance. For the priority user type, eligible candidates, who are highly familiar with the public beamlines and their methodological approaches, and who are expected to deepen the academic fields of SR science and technology, are designated as power users. JASRI has been providing active support for this program to produce a number of high-quality results. B-1) Priority Field Type Currently, the following two types of research are designated under the priority field type: (i) Nanotechnology Support Proposal (Period of designation: FY2007-FY2011) On the basis of the achievements gained through the Nanotechnology Support Project (a national project from FY2002 to FY2006), the research field of nanotechnology and nanomaterials has been designated as the priority field. The purpose of this system is to support research in the field of nanotechnology and nanomaterials for innovation creation in 5-10 years time. (ii) Industrial Application Proposal (Period of designation: FY2007-FY2011) This field is aimed at promoting the expansion of industrial application fields by attracting new users, developing a basic technology through the industry- academia-government collaboration, and promoting projects whose achievements are expected to contribute to companies and society. JASRI provides intensive support in the categories of “new users,” “new area,” “ industrial base consortium,” and “ advanced technology development.” To meet the needs of industrial users, JASRI calls for Industrial Application Proposals four times a year for the three public beamlines (BL14B2, BL19B2 and BL46XU) dedicated to industrial applications. B-2) Priority User Type (i) Power User Proposal Power User Proposals are non-proprietary proposals designed for designated power user groups (PUs) to produce outstanding results in the field of pioneering use of SR using up to 20% of the beamtime allocated to beamlines accepting PUs. The power user designation period is five years. PUs are subject to an interim review of research achievements, equipment development, and user support by the Power User Review Committee at the end of the third year to determine whether to continue or discontinue the power user status. When the designation period is completed, a post implementation review is conducted by the Committee. JASRI invites applications for power user positions once a year, which takes place before the proposal calls for research term A. IV-4. Beamtime Allocation The beamtime allocation at public beamlines is arranged in such that more than 50% of the total beamtime is allocated to public use proposals (proposals that are submitted in response to the open calls for proposals and approved by the PRC), while up to 20% is allocated to JASRI's own research proposals. The remaining beamtime is used for seminars, trainings, setup/removal and adjustment of equipment for user experiments, and proposals with special needs and requirements (Urgent, Time- designated, and Power User Proposals). The conceptual scheme of the beamtime allocation at the public beamlines is shown in Fig. 5. ❍ J ASRI Proposal ❑ Priority Research Program ❑ Priority Field Type ❍ Nanotechnology Support Proposal ❍ Industrial Application Proposal ❑ Priority User Type ❍ Power User Proposal ❑ General Research Program ❍ General Proposa l ❍ Long-term Proposal ❍ Urgent Proposal ❍ Budding Researchers Support Proposal ❍ Non-proprietary Grant-aided Proposal ❍ Time-designated Proposal ❍ SPring-8 Measurement Service - Seminars and Trainings - Setup and Removal of Equipment For JASRI For Public Use (Beamtime for JASRI : Registered Institution for Facilities Use Promotion) 80% 20% or Less or More Fig. 5. Conceptual scheme of beamtime allocation at public beamlines. 182 V. Budget and Personnel V. Budget and Personnel Since the start of operation in 1997, SPring-8 had been jointly managed by RIKEN, JAERI (JAEA, as it is known today), and JASRI. Since JAERI withdrew from the management of SPring-8 on September 30, 2005, SPring-8 has been administered by RIKEN and JASRI in a collaborative manner. Figure 7 shows the annual budget allocated to the operation, maintenance, and promotion of the use of SPring-8 from FY1997 to date. The budget for FY2010 was 8.49 billion yen. The total number of staff members of JASRI, RIKEN and XFEL Project is 1,365 as of October 2010, as shown in Fig. 8. IV-5. Research Outcome When users conduct non-proprietary experiments, they are required to submit a SPring-8 Experiment Report to JASRI within 60 days of the completion of their experiments. When the research results obtained through the use of SPring-8 are published in academic journals and other publications, the project leaders are requested to report to JASRI. As of March 2011, the number of registered refereed papers is 6,151, out of which 4,906 papers resulted from the use of public beamlines, 1,061 papers from that of contract beamlines, 800 papers from that of RIKEN beamlines, and 393 papers from hardware/software R&D. The papers resulting from the use of two or more beamlines are counted at each beamline. Figure 6 shows the annual statistics of refereed papers. 63 60 102 185 373 376 448 598 673 640 727 490 677 656 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 ~ 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 800 700 2007 Number of Publications Year 2010 2008 2009 Fig. 6. Number of refereed publications as of March 2011. 8,440 12,641 11,207 11,620 11,620 11,426 11,427 11,291 10,331 9,861 9,906 9,907 9,187 9,048 8,492 8,952 8,664 FY1997 0 2,000 8,000 10,000 4,000 6,000 12,000 14,000 FY1998 FY1999 FY2000 FY2001 FY2002 FY2003 FY2004 FY2005 FY2006 FY2007 Million Yen Year FY2010 FY2008 FY2009 Permanent Non-permanent Administration and Others Visiting Scientists and Students Research and Technical Support RIKEN XFEL 1 53 103 149 8 55 129 500 634 50 JASRI 243 155 126 375 149 by Type by Field Research and Technical Support 85% Administration and Others 15% Permanent 22% Non- permanent 25% Visiting Scientists and Students 53% Including double counts. Fig. 7. SPring-8 budget. Fig. 8. Personnel at SPring-8: JASRI, RIKEN and XFEL (FY2010).
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