{"id":27904,"date":"2022-12-22T16:15:54","date_gmt":"2022-12-22T19:15:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cnpem.br\/user-support-services-sau\/frequently-asked-questions\/"},"modified":"2026-01-09T15:01:24","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T18:01:24","slug":"frequently-asked-questions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cnpem.br\/en\/edu\/frequently-asked-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently asked questions"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”Frequently asked questions” font_container=”tag:h3|text_align:left” use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=””][vc_toggle title=”Does CNPEM offer a graduate program?” color=”violet” custom_font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%23444444″ custom_use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”” use_custom_heading=”true”]No. CNPEM does not currently offer a regular graduate program recognized by MEC and CAPES. Therefore, it is not possible to take graduate courses directly at the Center.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Part<\/span><\/span> of<\/span><\/span> CNPEM’s<\/span><\/span> mission<\/span><\/span> is<\/span><\/span> to<\/span><\/span> offer<\/span><\/span> its<\/span><\/span> research<\/span><\/span> facilities<\/span><\/span> to<\/span><\/span> the<\/span><\/span> scientific<\/span><\/span> community<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> with<\/span><\/span> specialized<\/span><\/span> teams<\/span><\/span> to<\/span><\/span> support<\/span><\/span> users<\/span><\/span> in<\/span><\/span> the<\/span><\/span> development<\/span><\/span> of<\/span><\/span> their<\/span><\/span> work<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span> In<\/span><\/span> addition<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span> many<\/span><\/span> CNPEM<\/span><\/span> researchers<\/span><\/span> are<\/span><\/span> affiliated<\/span><\/span> with<\/span><\/span> graduate<\/span><\/span> programs<\/span><\/span> at<\/span><\/span> Brazilian<\/span><\/span> universities<\/span><\/span> and<\/span><\/span> conduct<\/span><\/span> research<\/span><\/span> in<\/span><\/span> collaboration<\/span><\/span> with<\/span><\/span> these<\/span><\/span> programs<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Thus, the possibility of participating in projects or collaborations occurs through direct contact with CNPEM researchers, and admission to a graduate program must always be done through the university with which the researcher is associated.<\/span>[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”What is an external user?” color=”violet” custom_font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%23444444″ custom_use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”” use_custom_heading=”true”]<\/p>\n

An external user is a researcher or student affiliated with an institute or an educational or research institution who needs to develop a research proposal using the open-access facilities offered by CNPEM.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”What is an open-access facility?” color=”violet” custom_font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%23444444″ custom_use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”” use_custom_heading=”true”]<\/p>\n

Open-access facilities are environments that provide high-technology equipment free of charge to researchers, technicians, and students from around the world, along with laboratory consumables and specialized technical staff. In return for using these facilities, users are required to publish the results of their research in the scientific literature, acknowledging the use of CNPEM\u2019s facilities.<\/p>\n

In addition, open-access facilities foster scientific cooperation and contribute to the training of human resources in research and educational institutions. During their visits to carry out research proposals, users are trained and qualified to operate the equipment, enabling them to extract the data necessary for the development of their research.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”What is a research proposal?” color=”violet” custom_font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%23444444″ custom_use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”” use_custom_heading=”true”]<\/p>\n

A research proposal is the gateway to accessing open-access facilities for academic users and research institutions, exclusively for public-domain research conducted by Brazilian or international researchers who do not seek intellectual property protection for their research.<\/p>\n

A research proposal aims to outline methods that may guide the researchers involved in their analyses and investigations. Examples include testing a scientific hypothesis; synthesizing or developing materials; using equipment to observe a wide variety of systems, from soft matter to biomolecules; understanding drug mechanisms of action for the development of treatments or vaccines; DNA sequencing; mass spectrometry-based analyses, among others.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”How can I submit a research proposal?” color=”violet” custom_font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%23444444″ custom_use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”” use_custom_heading=”true”]<\/p>\n

CNPEM offers its equipment infrastructure free of charge, with the possibility of applying for financial support. The first step in submitting a research proposal to one of CNPEM\u2019s open-access laboratories is to contact the staff responsible for the open-access facilities to assess the technical feasibility of the experiment. After this initial contact, the user must register in the SAU Online proposal submission system.<\/p>\n

Submission is carried out through a form in which the user selects the National Laboratory and the beamline\/facility or technique related to the experiment. The form requires information about the proposed experiments, scientific background, expected results, and related details. Some required information may vary among National Laboratories due to the nature of each facility or experiment. The entire process is monitored by an evaluation committee that assesses the merits of the proposal and the information provided.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”What are the deadlines for proposal submission?” color=”violet” custom_font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%23444444″ custom_use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”” use_custom_heading=”true”]<\/p>\n

Users registered in the SAU Online system or subscribed to the CNPEM newsletter will receive email notifications about calls for research proposal submissions. However, some open-access facilities accept proposals through a continuous submission process, in which case there is no specific call opening.<\/p>\n

Updated submission calendars for open-access facilities, whether through calls or continuous flow, are available on CNPEM\u2019s websites. In addition, CNPEM\u2019s social media channels are frequently updated with announcements addressed to the entire scientific community to broaden outreach.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”How are proposals evaluated?” color=”violet” custom_font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%23444444″ custom_use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”” use_custom_heading=”true”]\"\"[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”What types of financial support are available to CNPEM users?” color=”violet” custom_font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%23444444″ custom_use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”” use_custom_heading=”true”]<\/p>\n

Please read the rules for financial support<\/a><\/strong> for external users of the open-access facilities.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Who is eligible for financial support and how can it be requested?” color=”violet” custom_font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%23444444″ custom_use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”” use_custom_heading=”true”]<\/p>\n

External users from Brazilian institutions who reside outside the state of S\u00e3o Paulo, as well as foreign users residing in Latin America and the Caribbean, are eligible for financial support. Financial support is exclusively available to external users with research proposals scheduled at CNPEM.<\/p>\n

Requests for financial support must be submitted exclusively through the SAU Online system and must be made via the automatic scheduling email sent to the proponent with the subject \u201cShifts scheduled [Schedule has been updated]\u201d, by accessing the link at the end of the paragraph titled \u201cBadge and Guesthouse and financial support (if applicable)\u201d.<\/p>\n

It is important to check the guidelines and procedures for requesting financial support when sample shipment is required, for both national and international destinations.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”How is safety training conducted?” color=”violet” custom_font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%23444444″ custom_use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”” use_custom_heading=”true”]<\/p>\n

To ensure a safe and effective experience at CNPEM, all users included in a proposal who will be present on site are required to complete CNPEM\u2019s institutional safety training after the proposal has been scheduled. The training is available in the SAU Online system.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”What measures are recommended for users before, upon arrival at CNPEM, and after the experiment?” color=”violet” custom_font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%23444444″ custom_use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”” use_custom_heading=”true”]\"\"[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Is it possible to send national or international samples to CNPEM?” color=”violet” custom_font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%23444444″ custom_use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”” use_custom_heading=”true”]<\/p>\n

Yes. Some open-access facilities support international and national users through the receipt of samples. This need must be discussed and aligned with the person responsible for each CNPEM facility.<\/p>\n

For international shipments, after aligning expectations with the facility staff, users must contact the User\u2019s Office (EdU) for guidance. Sample shipment for certain facilities may be covered by CNPEM\u2019s financial support program. For more information, please refer to the rules for granting financial support.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”How can I evaluate my experience at CNPEM?” color=”violet” custom_font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%23444444″ custom_use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”” use_custom_heading=”true”]<\/p>\n

After completing the research project, users are strongly encouraged to fill out the Infrastructure and Services Evaluation Form, available in the SAU Online system. Completing this form is extremely important for gathering opinions, reports, and perceptions from users who conducted experiments at CNPEM\u2019s open-access facilities, enabling continuous improvement.<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Is any report required after the experiment?” color=”violet” custom_font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%23444444″ custom_use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”” use_custom_heading=”true”]<\/p>\n

At the end of the experiment, it is recommended that the proponent and the principal investigator complete the Experimental Report, which can be found in the SAU Online system.<\/p>\n

IMPORTANT:<\/strong> Users must explicitly acknowledge the CNPEM infrastructure used in any article, thesis, or other published material that includes data obtained during their project. Users must also cooperate in providing this information when requested.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”If I have questions regarding the submission of my research, whom should I contact?” color=”violet” custom_font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%23444444″ custom_use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”” use_custom_heading=”true”]<\/p>\n

Before submitting a proposal, users are advised to consult the website for information on available beamlines\/facilities, services, and technologies, as well as specific recommendations for sample preparation, protocols, and other detailed specifications related to the research proposal submission process.<\/p>\n

If further clarification is needed, users are encouraged to contact the person responsible for the beamline\/facility or the User\u2019s Office (EdU).<\/p>\n

[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”How can I access CNPEM\u2019s Wi-Fi network?” color=”violet” custom_font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%23444444″ custom_use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”” use_custom_heading=”true”]<\/p>\n

Once the user confirms their visit to CNPEM in the SAU Online system, they will automatically receive an email with detailed information on accessing CNPEM\u2019s Wi-Fi network. The CNPEM Wi-Fi username begins with the credentials \u201cup\u201d, and the email will be sent 10 days before the start of the scheduled experiments. Please be sure to check your inbox during this period to obtain all necessary information.<\/p>\n

[\/vc_toggle][vc_toggle title=”Support, compliments, complaints, general questions, or suggestions” color=”violet” custom_font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%23444444″ custom_use_theme_fonts=”yes” css=”” use_custom_heading=”true”]<\/p>\n

To contact the User\u2019s Office (EdU), which is responsible for supporting users, please use one of the following communication channels:<\/p>\n