2. When can I apply for access?

You can apply for access at any time, simply complete and submit an application form.

3. How much does it cost?

Access is free for users from EU member states and associated states as long as the results can be made public.

4. What is proprietary access?

Proprietary access is for work which is confidential, and not for publication. The user covers the full costs of the access.

5. How do I apply for access?

The application form can be completed and submitted on-line or downloaded and sent by email. There are 4 simple steps to follow when submitting an application:

• Select the technologies most appropriate for your requirements and discuss your ideas with the technology experts.
• If you are uncertain which technologies to select please contact our user office.
• Define the work you want to carry out
• Download a recent version of the application form and complete the form.

It is recommended that you discuss your proposal or even your idea with our particular EUMINAfab experts before submitting your proposal via the online system. The EUMINAfab user office can assist you in identifying and contacting the right experts.

6. What happens after submitting a proposal?

The proposals will be processed as soon as possible after receipt.

1. Technological feasibility check: the Application is sent to the host organisation for a given technology/installation for assessment of the technological feasibility by the respective technology experts
2. The application is returned to the user office
3. The user office forwards the application to the Peer Review Board (PRB)
4. The peer review board assesses the proposal according to scientific excellence and gives a recommendation.
5. The user office is informed of the recommendation.
6. The users and technology experts are notified of the outcome of the PRB evaluation.
7. If the application evaluation is positive, the users and technology experts make technical and practical arrangements for a possible visit and discuss how to proceed with the work.
8. Carry out the work.
9. Complete user feedback questionnaire and travel claim form, submit both to the user office.
10. Prepare an access report and possible publish the results.

7. What is the role of the Peer Review Board?

Each public proposal (excluding proprietary requests) is evaluated by members of an international Peer Review Board (PRB). Members of this board are experts in relevant areas of science and technology and are appointed by the EUMINAfab Executive Committee.

8. If my proposal is not accepted, do I have the possibility to modify and re-submit it?

Yes, proposals that are not accepted can be modified after discussing them with technical experts, and then can be resubmitted.

9. What are the conditions for access?

Funding is for transnational access i.e. not in the country of origin of the user. Intellectual Property generated belongs to the User, however, only users and user groups with the right to publish results are entitled to access free of charge. Collaboration with the technology providing partners is possible and agreement should be made beforehand. Publications which result from transnational access at EUMINAfab should contain the acknowledgement “This work/Part of the work was carried out with the support of the European Community. We appreciate the support of the European Research Infrastructure EUMINAfab (funded under the FP7 specific programme Capacities, Grant Agreement Number 226460) and its partner xyz.” The name of the installation and technology expert may also be given.Users should also note that the EC has the right to publish the list of users and that project reports to the EC will contain the names, home institutions and description of the work of the users.

10. How is the time to access a given installation allocated?

The Peer Review Board (PRB) reviews the proposals and ranks them according to scientific and technological merit. EUMINAfab assigns an in-house expert to each project, who serves also as contact to the User group leader of the approved proposal.Time at specific equipment / installations is allocated according to the recommendations of the PRB by a group of EUMINAfab-technical experts and the EUMINAfab management.

The time allocation process is based on a close interaction between users and EUMINAfab experts following the peer review process.

11. Which technologies are available within the EUMINAfab infrastructure?

The technologies, instruments, processes and installations in EUMINAfab are operated in different locations and they can be grouped under four different categories. They are subject to continuous improvement. The technologies/installations are described on the EUMINAfab website.Currently the following categories and installations are available for access under the EUMINAfab programme:

Micro and nano-patterning technologies

Optical components, microscale mechanical components and moulds with micron and sub-micron precision can be produced by mechanical, lithographic and laser machining methods (see Micro Nano Patterning).

Thin film deposition technologies

Single and multi-layers’ films with thicknesses as low as 10 nm can be formed by employing various sputtering methods. Highly regular nanostructures of emitting nano crystals, metallic and ceramic nanoclusters can be created by exploiting self-assembly methods. Light emitting devices can also be fabricated by layer by layer deposition. Etching methods specially adapted for noble metals which have different applications, e.g. in heating elements, Pt electrodes and temperature sensors, are also offered as part of the EUMINAfab infrastructure (see Thin Film Deposition for more details).

Replication technologies

Short series microcomponents from polymers, metal or ceramics materials can be produced by hot embossing or micro-injection moulding. High dimensional accuracy can be achieved, e.g. by using LIGA fabricated mould inserts. Metal lines can be printed on glass or metal substrates, both over large area and using several materials, to form e.g. conductive structures for high and low temperature applications. High resolution and high aspect ratio structures can be fabricated by reactive ion etching. In addition to silica the available replication technologies are suitable for processing polymers, metals and glass (see Replication for the available installations).

Characterisation technologies

Characterisation methods are available for a broad range of materials and structures. They allow an electro-optical characterisation of particles or surfaces to be performed while microscopic methods enable the imaging of particles and the atomic arrangement within them. Metrological services are available for systems containing Silica, polymers, metals, ceramics or glass, and nanosurf IV provides a traceable surface profile measurement method (see Characterisation for the available installations).

12. What installations I’m allowed to use?

Please note that the Peer Review Board can only consider applications for those installation(s) requested on the proposal form. We highly recommend that you contact the experts of the EUMINAfab-laboratories relevant to your work prior to a proposal submission. Contact details of the experts are given on www.EUMINAFab.eu.

13. Can I expect to operate the equipment myself?

Suitable level of training can be provided if necessary depending on the equipment involved, the recurrence and the duration of your proposed experiments.

14. Is there a procedure to ensure the confidentiality of my proposal?

The contents of a proposal will be treated confidentially. They will however be reviewed by the people involved in the proposal evaluation procedure: EUMINAfab partners and Peer Review Board. Information on successful proposals applying for no fee access will be sent to the European Comission for project reporting purposes.

15. Where can I get more detailed information?

For more information please check the EUMINAfab User Guidelines and the information available on this website.