Neutron Sciences

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) scientific user facilities – the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) and the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS) – are US Department of Energy sponsored research facilities open to researchers for advancing research in science and technology. HFIR and SNS, two of the world’s most advanced neutron scattering research facilities, offer thirty instruments covering a wide range of science and capabilities. Beam time is granted through the User Program and is free of charge with the condition researchers publish their results, making them available to the scientific community.

For Industries interested in learning more about proprietary research or how neutrons can help solve problems in industry, visit the Industrial Applications Program webpage.

General User Proposal Calls

The submission window for General User proposal call 2021-B will close March 24, 2021. More information about the 2021-B proposal call will be provided when available.

The General User Proposal Call 2021-A closed on September 16. Proposals awarded beam time will be scheduled to run January – June 2021. This call was strictly limited to experiments for which samples will be available during the award period (no postponements due to sample unavailability will be allowed). Each participating instrument has provided a list of experiment conditions that can be supported in remote access mode. All awarded users should be aware that we anticipate more frequent schedule changes during this cycle than usual, to deal with unscheduled unavailability of staff or other support.

Previously awarded proposals that cannot run in remote access mode will still be honored when the onsite GUP resumes.

Contact the User Office

The User Office is responsible for many aspects of the User Program. From submitting a proposal to coordinating your site access and training, the User Office staff are available to assist and answer your questions.

Email: neutronusers@ornl.gov

Phone: 865-574-4600