A Call for Proposals of the University of Colorado’s COSINC-CHR (Characterization Facility) is now open until July 31, 2024. This program aims to encourage new and innovative projects focusing on either the Low Energy Ion Scattering Spectrometer (LEIS), or the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). The proposal is also an opportunity for selected participants to develop their skills with hands-on training for the LEIS or AFM. Each selected project will receive up to 30 hours of instrument time and assisted usage including data analysis ($3,000 equivalent, some restrictions apply), for a period of six months. Projects will be selected on a rolling basis over 12 months depending on availability of COSINC staff. For questions email Aju Jugessur.

Selection Criteria: 

• Project must be novel in its usage of the characterization technique. Standard imaging or analysis that can be carried out with regular training will not be considered.
• Project must involve a collaboration between the PI and the COSINC facility staff.
• A clear plan should be provided of future instrument usage in the facility after the project has ended.
• Only one award per PI and per instrument.

Requirements for Principal Investigators (PIs): 

• The PI must be faculty/staff.
• Selected PIs must provide their active University of Colorado speedtype (or equivalent for external users) to cover any instrument usage and related fees exceeding $3,000 at the beginning of the project duration.
• Selected participants are expected to give at least a presentation at an upcoming COSINC-CHR user meeting.
• Acknowledgments of COSINC Facility and staff contributions in any conference and journal publications resulting from the research project.

Important Dates: 

• Application open date: Aug. 1, 2023.
• Announcement of the selected projects: First announcement Sept. 1, 2023 with multiple announcements until July 31, 2024
• End date of the selected projects: 6 months from selected date

Application: 

• PI information.
• Description of project and objectives.
• Choice of instrument (LEIS or AFM).
• A short and descriptive budget as to how the opportunity will be utilized.
• A plan that demonstrates future instrument usage at the COSINC-CHR and other COSINC facilities (if any) after the project has ended.
• Additionally, a project summary in a pdf format (up to 2 pages) should be uploaded.

Award Details:

• Each selected project will receive up to $3,000 of equivalent instrument time (with assisted usage) over a period of six months. 
• Grant will be used only for the instrument usage fees, training fees and consumables at the COSINC-CHR facility. (Limited for the selected instrument, Usage fees are calculated using the CU internal user-fee rates)
• Participants will receive technical and scientific assistance during the project period from the COSINC-CHR staff. This support must not involve any routine characterization tasks.