Submitting a proposal through ARIA is a simple process, outlining the aims and background of the project, the services required and the team members involved. For more information on the Instruct proposal submission process, check out our help guide.

You can also see in more detail by creating a draft proposal here. This will remain in draft until it is submitted.

Yes, any user can apply to use any of the services/technologies described in the service/technology catalogue. Researchers from Member countries and organisations can receive funded access to our centres.

Instruct provides some funds directly to facilities to support access to infrastructure. Instruct also provides a contribution towards travel and accommodation costs for scientists visiting Instruct facilities.

Find more information on funding and eligibility criteria here.

Instruct provides a single point of access to infrastructure in Instruct Centres all over Europe. It also provides the expertise to support you in carrying out your research and to point you to the right place for the right experiment. By applying through Instruct access you can obtain funding to support travel and accommodation expenses and the use of equipment at the Instruct-ERIC facilities you use will be subsidised. Workflows in integrated structural biology can also be accessed, utilising technologies and expertise from across a wide range of centres and facilities.

See our page which describes who qualifies.

No, however, we are looking for high quality research proposals that are inter-disciplinary and use an integrated technology approach. We will also consider the impact of the research. A Moderator may suggest revisions to a proposal and resubmission. A revised proposal will be accepted for re-evaluation at any time.

There is no time limit to start or finish the project, however we will try to help the user access the service/technology required as promptly as possible. If the project has not started within 12 months of approval, the Access Committee may request and update to ensure that the original scientific goals are still relevant.

Yes. We encourage the use of integrative structural biology approaches, where multiple techniques are used for a research question. All service/technologies required should be included in a single proposal.

At step 1 of the online proposal system "Select Service / Technology", click the green button to "Add another Service / Technology", and select subsequent technologies there.

All service/technologies required should be included in a single proposal. Make the application for crystallisation and data collection in the same proposal.

At step 1 of the online proposal system "Select Service / Technology", click the green button to "Add another Service / Technology", and select subsequent technologies there.

Yes, expert guidance from the participating institutes is part of the Instruct access provision.

Every application is evaluated on its scientific merits. Instruct is looking for research projects that demonstrate innovative approaches within integrative structural biology.

The reviewers will be asked to report on; scientific quality and integrated aspects of the research plan, feasibility of the research plan and the competence and expertise of the applicant/research team. The guidelines to the reviewers will include questions such as:

• "is the project scientifically significant?"
• "Is the project inter-disciplinary?"
• "Are the research methods appropriate for the project?"
• "Have alternative approaches been considered in case of problems?"
• "Are the merits and scientific expertise of the applicant appropriate and sufficient for the proposed project?"

Safety and ethical issues will also be taken into account. Evidence of preliminary data will be required.

More details of criteria are available in the Review Guidelines.

Yes, you can appeal to the Moderator through the web site. We are committed to working with applicants to develop their proposals.

You agree to publication of data arising from your research visit when you submit your proposal (see our Terms of Submission). For acknowledgement text requirements and template presentation slides please see Acknowledging Instruct.

Instruct IP policy can be found on our policies page.

It is not required to include Instruct authors. However, the access mode will often be ‘collaborative’ rather than ‘service’ and may be extended over time in which case joint publications may arise. Co-authorship should be agreed with all parties involved before commencement of the work.

All access to Instruct technology must be acknowledged in scientific articles and presentations generated using data collected at Instruct centres.

For acknowledgement text requirements and template presentation slides please see Acknowledging Instruct.

It is not necessary to suggest reviewers - the Moderator will appoint reviewers in the field. You have the option to specify which reviewers you do NOT wish to see your application (in case of a conflict of interest).

By answering the feedback form when prompted by email.

Users should book and pay for their own travel and accommodation for access visits. After the visit has taken place, and feedback has been submitted online, reimbursement can take place.

Users need to complete the reimbursement form including your receipts and email it to support@instruct-eric.org or post it to Instruct-ERIC (Oxford House, Parkway Court, John Smith Drive, OX4 2JY).