Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the principal steps of a proposal submission?
After you have logged in, the proposal submission is divided in three stages:
1. Filling of the Beamtime Application Form. This is all web-based and you need to supply information in separate Tabs: General Information / Research Area / Beamlines Request / Proposers / Laboratory Support Facility / Sample Environment / Sample Description / Experience and Publications.
2. Filling the Experiment Method Form. You reach the web-page for this form via the link in the right hand column of the table that appears when you have successfully saved the Beamline Application Form. This Form is available as a Word Template and you need to fill in: Aims / Method / Results expected / References. If useful, tables and figures can be added. The filled form can then be uploaded in PDF format.
3. The Sample information and Safety Sheet is again reachable from the right hand column of the previous table and you need to provide: Description of the sample / Handling and Equipment / Experiment Data.
- Can I use my old (i.e. pre-2012) EMBL-HH username and password for submitting proposals to the new system?
Unfortunately, this is not possible. Please start from scratch by registering as a new user.
- Can I use my old (i.e. pre-2012) EMBL-HH proposal numbers?
The old proposal numbers are not recognized yet -- please write in your application that this is a continuation
- Can I access my old (i.e. pre-2012) EMBL account?
Yes, you can access your old account via www.embl-hamburg.de -> ' Access to Infrastructures' -> 'Macromolecular Crystallography' until '2011 or Small Angle X-ray Scattering until 2011'. Please note that the old accounts should only be used for viewing/copying.
- Can I copy complete previously made proposals to the new proposal submission system?
No, this is not possible. You can access your old proposals (see previous question) and then copy and past individual text elements 'by hand'.
- Is is possible to group different project proposal (possibly from different groups and for different methods) in a 'BAG'?
For the first call in 2012, we have started using a new system for accepting proposals. At this early stage, the system has some limitations. One of the current limitations is that proposals have to be project-specific, i.e. at present BAG proposals are not possible.
We definitely plan to accept BAG proposals in the future and will make the respective announcements in due course.
- What is the plan concerning sample changers for crystallography?
Presently, one MARVIN sample changer is in operation on BW7B on the DORIS synchrotron. With this system, crystals can be tested; data collection on the same beamline is not possible. On P14, a MARVIN system will be deployed in the second half of 2012.
- My 'Draft Proposal' has disappeared. How can I recover it?
You can restore your draft version by clicking on the radio button of the proposal type (MX or SAXS) as if you were choosing a new one. Then a pop-up will advise you that a draft version is stored and by clicking "Restore Draft" button, the form will be re-filled with your draft data.
- Is there funding available for accessing EMBL beamlines in Hamburg?
The previous I3 grant ended in September 2011 and no more funds are available from this source.
A new support scheme is available via BioStruct-X (www.biostruct-x.eu).
- Will beamtime granted in 2011 be carried over to 2012?
For MX, beamtime allocated for use of DORIS beamtime in 2012 will not be carried over to 2011.
