MONNET, Tandem accelerator based fast neutron source (EUFRAT)

MONNET is a high-intensity quasi mono-energetic fast-neutron source, driven by a vertical 3.5 MV Tandem accelerator producing either continuous or pulsed beams of protons, or deuterons. MONNET generates quasi mono-energetic neutrons in the energy region 0 to 24 MeV by using lithium, deuterium or tritium targets. MONNET may also be used as a photon source or for studies requiring protons and deuterons without the emphasis on neutron production, if there is benefit for the JRC to do so. The MONNET laboratory also offers access to the VESPA and VERDI spectrometers for experiments with spontaneous fission sources.

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Priority topics of MONNET

1. Neutron cross-section measurements for safety assessments of present-day and innovative nuclear energy systems.
2. Measurements of nuclear data standards.
3. Investigations for a better understanding of the nuclear fission process.
4. Materials research and radiation-induced damage studies.
5. Advanced methods in nuclear technologies, safety and security.
6. Exploratory research for the development of new scientific concepts or testing of new equipment.
7. Dosimetry.
8. Basic physics.

Definition and conditions of access

Access to the research infrastructure is granted based on Access Units (AU). For MONNET, the AU corresponds to a 'Measurement week' made available for the experimental activities. MONNET operates on a 24h/7 days per week basis. An AU is about 120 hours of beam time and includes the time to build up and to dismantle the experimental set-up (if needed). Beam time planning should be agreed with an in-house staff scientist (a local scientific contact) at least one month before the scheduled beam time. Depending on the proposed experiment, users can use their own equipment, JRC in-house equipment or a combination of both. This should be agreed with the local scientific contact at least one month before the scheduled beam time. Users must collaborate closely with the local scientific contact, who is familiar with the facility and the in-house equipment.

All users will be requested to complete and deliver safety and security-related documents to get access to the nuclear facilities at MONNET. Approval of access is subject to the rules of the European Commission, the Joint Research Centre and the Belgian authorities. Submission of documents should therefore, be started in time to allow completion of the approval procedure well before the start of the experiment.

• Estimated total number of Access Units allocated to the call: 4 AU
• Average number of Access Units per Project: 1 AU
• Estimated maximum duration of the User Access Project: 36 months
• Estimated costs excluding consumables and expenses:
  • Research infrastructure operated by JRC staff: 0 €/AU
  • Research infrastructure operated by users: Not possible

Allocation of intellectual property rights

The JRC and the entitled party (person or organisation that has been granted access) become co-owners in equal shares of all raw data, treated data and documentation data developed with respect to the access.

Eligibility criteria

• The Lead User Institution and User Institutions (see definitions in the Framework) must be established in an EU Member State, or country associated to the Euratom research programme (at the time of publishing this call, the only country associated to the Euratom research programme is Ukraine and Switzerland).
• The scope of the work for nuclear RIs must be in line with the activities defined in Annex I of Council Regulation (Euratom) 2021/765.
• The Lead User Institution must be from a university, research or public institution, or from a Small-Medium-Enterprise (SME).
• User Institutions belonging to international organisations provided that the JRC has concluded a Collaboration instrument that ensures reciprocity for Access of Users from the JRC and User Institutions to their respective Research Infrastructures. The JRC Director General may exceptionally authorise the participation of User Institutions belonging to international organisations in the absence of a Collaboration instrument.
• User Institutions established in a EU Member State or in a country associated to the Euratom programme must not be directly or indirectly controlled by non-associated third countries, or by legal entities of non-associated third countries. The JRC Director General may exceptionally authorise the participation of User Institutions controlled directly or indirectly by non-associated third countries, or by legal entities of non-associated third countries.
• Individual Users must be nationals of a EU Member State or a country associated to the Euratom programme. The JRC Director General may exceptionally authorise the participation of Users that are not nationals of EU Member States, or of a country associated to the Euratom programmes, for overriding justified reasons.
• Ethical considerations in accordance with EU Law, in particular Art. 18 and Art. 19 of Regulation (EU) 2021/695, and applicable laws and regulations in the EU Member States.
• The proposal submission form is complete and complies with the instructions.

* Swiss institutions can apply as from now. However, the actual participation in the activities will be subject to the conclusion of the agreement between the EU/Euratom and Switzerland on Union Programmes, currently in the process of formal adoption.

Selection criteria

Proposals will be evaluated in accordance to the following selection criteria:

• Scientific implementation (50 points)
• Collaboration, training and access of new User Institution (20 points)
• Strategic relevance (30 points)

How to apply

The proposal must be prepared using the Relevance-driven Proposal Submission Form.

If the proposal includes a request to prepare a target at JRC, the Lead User must also fill in the EUFRAT Target preparation request and follow the instructions at the end of the form when submitting the proposal.

For MONNET the Lead User must also fill in the EUFRAT (MONNET) facility specifications form following the instructions at the end of the form when submitting the proposal.

During preparation of the proposal, applicants are encouraged to:

• Read the "Framework for Access to the Physical Research Infrastructures of the JRC" and all related documents in the Framework for Access page.
• Contact the research infrastructure at JRC-OPEN-EUFRATec [dot] europa [dot] eu (JRC-OPEN-EUFRAT[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu) to assess feasibility aspects related to the capacity of the research infrastructure.

The proposal should be submitted to JRC-RI-OPEN-ACCESSec [dot] europa [dot] eu (JRC-RI-OPEN-ACCESS[at]ec[dot]europa[dot]eu) by the closing date of the call.

The User Selection Committee will only evaluate proposals that are complete and comply with the instructions in the proposal submission form.