Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering
ACNS is accepting proposals for access from August 2024 through to January 2025.
A range of neutron-beam instruments and capabilities are available to support your research proposal.
View the list of available instruments and capabilities
National Deuteration Facility
The NDF is accepting proposals for access from August 2024 through to January 2025.
Deuteration by chemical and biological processes is available.
How to apply
The user portal has transitioned to a new location, the ANSTO Research Portal. If you are new to this portal, you will need to create an account. For help on this and proposal creation, download this handy user guide.
The ANSTO Research Portal is the gateway for applications requesting access to all Lucas Heights facilities, not just the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering and the National Deuteration Facility. Please ensure you select the correct proposal type as described in the user guide.
We encourage you to discuss your proposal with the relevant ANSTO scientist before submitting your application.
Visit our website for more detailed information on how to apply or click on the button below to start your application today.
Important information
Planned user program days
The 2024-2 round runs from August 2024 through to January 2025 and includes 146 reactor days, providing approximately 100 days for the ACNS user programs. Click here to view more of our planned ACNS program days for subsequent rounds.OPAL 2024 scheduled shutdown
From Monday, 18 March 2024 to Friday, 5 July 2024, it is planned that ANSTO will transition OPAL to a shutdown state to undergo necessary upgrades and scheduled maintenance. A key driver of this planned shutdown is replacing the reactor's cold neutron source. During this timeframe, neutrons will not be available.In July 2024, ACNS will undertake performance measurements of the new cold source and return the ACNS instrument suite to user operations after the long shutdown maintenance activities.
Early Career Researchers
Discretionary requests will be considered for Early Career Researchers if these proposals meet certain requirements. For more information and how to apply visit our website.Terms & conditions
Before completing your application please read through our ACNS user terms & conditions.NDF conditions for proposal submission can be found in the user guide.
New Facility Access Terms and Conditions are currently being discussed for implementation in 2024.