Objectives of the MagLab
User Collaboration Grants Program

The National Science Foundation has charged the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (MagLab) with developing an in-house research program that:

• utilizes the MagLab facilities to carry out high quality high field research at the forefront of science and engineering; and
• advances the MagLab facilities and their scientific and technical capabilities.

To fulfill this charge the MagLab operates the User Collaboration Grants Program (UCGP), which is designed to stimulate magnet and or facility development, promote collaborations between in-house scientists and external users, while also accomplishing first-rate scientific and engineering research.

The User Collaboration Grants Program funds research projects of 1-2 years duration including the following categories:

• small, seeded collaborations between internal and/or external investigators that utilize their complementary expertise;
• bold but risky efforts which hold significant potential to extend the range and type of experiments; and
• initial seed support for new faculty and research staff, targeted to magnet laboratory enhancements.

The User Collaboration Grants Program strongly encourages collaboration between MagLab scientists and external users of MagLab facilities. Projects are also encouraged to drive new or unique research, i.e., serve as seed money to develop initial data leading to external funding of a larger program.

UCGP funds a broad range projects, with the above elements included in varing degrees. To better understand what kind of projects are funded, take a look at the tabs for titles of past awards, and for review questions, which are used to score proposals. UCGP reviewing is handled by a panel, the Research Program Committee. See under its tab for its membership and organization.

UCGP welcomes young investigators, and is committed to helping them develop their proposal writing skills. See the proposal writing tips tab

Funding will only be provided for research taking place at MagLab facilities, and funded projects generally cannot send research funds to non-MagLab institutions. In accord with NSF policies, the MagLab cannot fund clinical studies.

Budget Levels

2024 User Collaboration Grants Program Solicitation Key Dates

May 17	User Collaboration Grants Program solicitation announced
June 7	System opens for online submissions
July 22	Pre-proposal deadline
October 3	PIs notified of pre-proposal decisions
November 18	Full proposal deadline
January 13	Awards announced
January 27	Grants begin