In this section, you will find all necessary information concerning your experiment, from preparation and registration of users and samples to submission of reports, publications and User Feedback Forms. For information concerning the management and access of data and our computing infrastructure, please consult the User Guide section on Computing and Data. 

Principal Investigator: Once the proposal is accepted and scheduled, you will receive an invitation by email 6-8 weeks before the experiment start date. In this email, you will receive the name and contact details of your ESRF Local Contact, a scientist familiar with the beamline and instrumental set-up who will assist you with your experiment. You are encouraged to contact your local contact as soon as possible to discuss the details of your experiment.  

New users: Create your ESRF account in the User Portal. You cannot be registered as a user on an experiment (through the submission of the Session Form (A Form) by the Principal Investigator) until you have an account. Perform your online Safety Training (User Portal >> tab 'Safety' >> 'User Safety Training'). If you are to receive financial assistance from the ESRF ('reimbursed' user), you must complete the section/tab 'Reimbursement data' in your user account.

Returning users: Make sure your account information is up to date in the User Portal, and in particular your laboratory affiliation.

Consult the following webpage that includes checklists per PI, per user, and also chronologically before, during and after your experiment.

Checklists - Prepare for an Experiment

This page and underlying pages are under construction (19th August 2026).

• Consult the ESRF User Policies and Rules.
• Remember that the working language of the ESRF is English and it is mandatory that at least one fluent English-speaking scientist participates in the experiment onsite.