Proposal selection criteria

FY2023 and beyond

1. Evaluation by category

Judging Scores: 4-point absolute scale (decimal places allowed), total score out of 12 points

(1) Academic Value

4.0 The research has extremely high value as a foundation for academic or industrial technology; it is challenging, likely to lead the field, and has a high probability of leading to innovation.

3.0 The research has high value as a foundation for academic or industrial technology; it is original and novel, and makes a significant contribution to the development of the field.

2.0 The research has value as a foundation for academic or industrial technology and addresses a significant research topic in the field, but its priority is not high.

1.0 The research has low value as a foundation for academic or industrial technology and is not appropriate as a research project to be conducted at this facility.

(2) Expected Outcomes
4.0 The research objectives are extremely clear, the research methods are sufficiently sound, and expectations for achieving results are extremely high.
3.0 The research objectives are clear, the research methods are sound, and expectations for achieving results are high.
2.0 The research objectives are unclear, or the research methods lack sufficient validity, and expectations for achieving results are low.
1.0 The research objectives are unclear, or the research methods lack validity, and achieving results cannot be expected.

(3) Appropriateness of UVSOR Use
4.0 The research makes effective use of UVSOR’s features, or the use of UVSOR is indispensable.
3.0 While the research could be conducted at other facilities, using UVSOR is appropriate.
2.0 While the research could be conducted at UVSOR, it would be more appropriate to conduct it at another facility.
1.0 Preliminary experiments using other methods are necessary.

2. Overall Evaluation

The overall evaluation will be based on the total score from items 1(1) through (3) above, taking into account A) the facility’s policies and beamline strategies for the relevant fiscal year, B) the status of results reporting, and C) technical requirements.

【Facility’s policies for FY2025】
Development of multimodal measurement
Development of measurement automation
Community expansion (expansion into the fields of infrared spectroscopy and life sciences)
Promotion of international collaborative research
Strengthening of commercial applications
Launch of the S+ rating system (abolition of preferential treatment for the S rating)
Please check the links for related BL project topics.

【Beamline strategies for FY2025】
BL1U: Gamma-ray polarization measurements, gamma-ray-induced positron annihilation spectroscopy, use of tandem undulators
BL3U: RSoXS measurements, biological sample measurements
BL4U: Operando measurements, sample cell development, biological sample measurements
BL5U: Spin, microfocus, cryogenic, K-evaporation
BL7U: Low-energy, cryogenic, high-resolution

Overall evaluations are ranked on a relative scale of five levels: S, A, B, C, and D. Each rank is allocated so that the proportion of selected projects, excluding those requiring improvement, is generally as follows:
S: 10% Projects requiring special priority (Preferential Treatment S)
A: 40% Projects requiring priority (Preferential Treatment A)
B: 30% Standard projects
C: 20% Projects below standard
D: — Not selected
X: — Requiring improvement

Preferential Treatment S+: Exemption from review for the next application (limited to the same theme)*, travel expense allocation (standard amount)
Preferential Treatment S, A: Travel expense allocation (standard amount)
For B and C ratings, the amounts granted will be the standard travel expense allocation amounts listed above, reduced by 5% and 10%, respectively.

Starting with the application for the latter half of FY2024

*For BL4B and the undulator beamlines, the project with the highest evaluation score among the S-rated projects for each beamline will be designated as S+. As a preferential measure, this project may be exempted from the review process for its next application (which does not necessarily have to be in the following term). However, this exemption will be approved only if the content of the application is substantially the same, and only after consultation with the beamline manager. Please note that for administrative purposes, applicants must submit the web application using the same project title and application form. Please note that with the introduction of the S+ rating, the S rating no longer grants the right to exemption from review.

The allocated weeks are generally capped at two weeks (120 hours) per semester (U-line), but this is not limited to special circumstances (Project Assignment Subcommittee Consultation). If the project content includes development elements and is deemed effective, up to three weeks per semester may be permitted. The B-line is capped at three weeks per semester (six weeks per year). Long-term projects with a high degree of development elements require prior consultation with the facility.