Policies

AMOF welcomes applications from all parts of the scientific community, including commercial users, but priority will be given to NERC-funded science and applicants eligible for NERC funding. Prospective users are encouraged to contact the Facility Manager or the relevant AMOF instrument scientist prior to making an application, to discuss the project’s requirements.

Users accessing the facility in this mode will typically do so via the Centre for Environmental Data Analysis (CEDA).

In line with the NERC data policy there will be no charge at the point of use for the data. However, there may be staff costs involved in helping users interpret the data. Users requiring such help should apply through Direct Access.

Where a project is likely to require more than 40 person-days of Facility staff funding will need to be provided and the application should follow the standard application procedure.

Access to mobile instrumentation must be supported by an application via the online form: the exception to this is if the appllicant is from a commercial enterprise and in this case the applicant should contact the faciity directly.

Users apply for access to the Facility through one of the access pathways described in the Access Pathways.

As AMOF is a community Facility, instrument deployments shall normally be restricted to 6 months duration on site (this does not include shipping time). Applicants requiring a longer deployment should contact the Facility Manager in the first instance, before submitting an application. Longer deployments require approval by the chair of the AMOFSC (arranged by the Facility Manager) and can only be supported if:

• The project is funded through a NERC grant, or
• The project is funded through a cross-council UKRI programme involving NERC: e.g. GCRF, Newton Fund, Grand Challenges, or
• Deployment beyond 6 months can be supported through a NERC Centre-commissioned science programme (e.g. LTSM).
• Extension to an active instrument loan can be supported if:
• A further application is received for the instrument three months before the end of the initial 6 months period,
• No other requests for the instrument(s) have been made in the meantime.
• No more than two extensions (18 months total deployment) may be applied for.

Note the capability to deploy for periods greater than 6 months and to extend a deployment is only available to projects funded through NERC or a cross-council UKRI programme.

Users apply for access to the Facility through one of the standard Access Pathways.

When allocating resources the Facility Manager will prioritize as follows:

1. NERC grant applications
2. UKRI cross-council schemes involving NERC
3. NERC NC
4. Direct Access
5. UKRI Non-NERC Research Council grant applications
6. EU grants, public not-for-profit organisations and recognised national\international funding bodies
7. Commercial organisations

The score obtained by a NERC grant and the score resulting from AMOF peer review (based on the NERC grant scoring scheme) determines prioritisation within a category.

If scheduling clash still occurs then allocation of resources within that category will be on a first-come-first served basis.

Applications from NERC-funded PhD students will be considered as part of Direct Access.

In the event of a scheduling clash that cannot be resolved within these guidelines, the Facility Manager will consult by email with AMOFSC. Disputes will be referred to the Chair of AMOFSC.