NEPHEWS

NEPHEWS can support MAX IV users via the TNA (TransNational Access) programme, following eligibility and priority criteria. We offer travel reimbursement to approximately 1–2 users from the User Group visiting MAX IV.

Note: As User Group we define the team of one or more researchers visiting MAX IV during the scheduled beamtime period, i.e. after your proposal submitted during one of the regular Calls for proposals has been accepted. Please note the eligibility must also apply to the User Group composition upon proposal submission.

Eligibility Criteria

• The majority of the user group must work in a country outside Sweden
• Only user groups that will disseminate the results they generate under the project are eligible
• Access for user groups with a majority of users not working in an EU Member State or Horizon Europe associated countries is limited to 20% of the total amount of units of access provided under the grant

Priority Criteria

NEPHEWS provides financial support to eligible User Groups (for travel and accommodation) in the following order of priority:

1. Priority Countries: 🇪🇪 Estonia, 🇫🇮 Finland, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇷🇸 Serbia, 🇺🇦 Ukraine

2. Widening Countries: 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇭🇷 Croatia, 🇨🇾 Cyprus, 🇨🇿 Czechia, 🇪🇪 Estonia, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇱🇻 Latvia, 🇱🇹 Lithuania, 🇲🇹 Malta, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇸🇰 Slovakia, 🇸🇮 Slovenia

3. Other: If funding remains, additional qualified users from other countries may receive support (e.g. researchers from countries without large-scale research infrastructures which are not listed above are also eligible, although with lower priority).

How to Apply

Please follow the steps below to apply for financial support from the TNA programme at MAX IV: 

1. Check the eligibility criteria listed above  
2. If your group is eligible, please check the priority criteria listed above  
3. To apply for reimbursement, please submit this  application form after your visit, providing the required information for the NEPHEWS group to approve your reimbursement application. You will be subsequently instructed on how to provide original receipts of your travel expenses for reimbursement.
   
4. If you wish to know whether you are eligible ahead of visiting, please submit the above form by filling in the fields accordingly

Note: After your visit, filling in the above form is mandatory. 

Through the Twinning Programme, NEPHEWS supports new users (following eligibility and priority criteria) by pairing them with experienced research groups at MAX IV. The programme offers:

• Hands-on training: New users join an experienced group during their experiment.
• Skill development: Learn RI techniques and prepare for future research projects.
• Collaboration opportunities: Twinning can lead to long-term scientific partnerships.
• Travel reimbursement: NEPHEWS covers travel and subsistence costs for 1–2 users per group visiting MAX IV.

Eligibility Criteria

• R1: First Stage Researcher (up to the point of PhD)
• R2: Recognised Researcher (PhD holders or equivalent who are not yet fully independent)
• R3: Independent researcher
• R4: Leading researcher, assistant/associate/full professor or equivalent

Priority Criteria

NEPHEWS supports eligible Users as Twinning guests in the following order:

Priority Countries: 🇪🇪 Estonia, 🇫🇮 Finland, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇷🇸 Serbia, 🇺🇦 Ukraine

Widening Countries: 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇭🇷 Croatia, 🇨🇾 Cyprus, 🇨🇿 Czechia, 🇪🇪 Estonia, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇱🇻 Latvia, 🇱🇹 Lithuania, 🇲🇹 Malta, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇸🇰 Slovakia, 🇸🇮 Slovenia

Other: If there are available positions, additional qualified users may receive support. For example, researchers from countries without large-scale research infrastructures which are not listed above are also eligible, although with lower priority.

How to Apply

The Twinning Programme is coordinated centrally by the NEPHEWS Coordination team. You can find more information about the process, and the registration form, here: https://beamtime.eu/programmes-support/twinning/

To develop future scientific talent, NEPHEWS supports 24 young researchers (following eligibility and priority criteria) through short-term working visits. The programme covers:

• 1-week internships at Synchrotron (SR), Free Electron Laser (FEL), or Neutron (N) facilities
• Hands-on experience with research techniques across different fields
• Insight into RI operations, including access policies, technology transfer, and innovation
• Practical training to help ESRs navigate and utilize large-scale research infrastructures

Eligibility Criteria

• R1: First Stage Researchers – Up to the point of PhD
• R2: Recognised Researchers – PhD holders or equivalent who are not yet fully independent

Priority Criteria

NEPHEWS supports eligible Early Stage Researchers in the following order:

Priority Countries: 🇪🇪 Estonia, 🇫🇮 Finland, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇷🇸 Serbia, 🇺🇦 Ukraine

Widening Countries: 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇭🇷 Croatia, 🇨🇾 Cyprus, 🇨🇿 Czechia, 🇪🇪 Estonia, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇱🇻 Latvia, 🇱🇹 Lithuania, 🇲🇹 Malta, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇸🇰 Slovakia, 🇸🇮 Slovenia

Other: If there are available positions, additional qualified users may receive support. For example, researchers from countries without large-scale research infrastructures which are not listed above are also eligible, although with lower priority.

How to Apply

The ESR Programme is coordinated centrally by the NEPHEWS Coordination team. You can find more information about the process, and the registration form, following this link .