Academic access

The Centre is open to researchers from academic institutions. Academic users can work independently via self-service open access, or have their samples processed by our staff through full-service. Below you will find eligibility, the steps to get started, and academic pricing.

Who is eligible for academic access?

• Users must prove affiliation with an academic institution.

• Results may be used only for independent research and must not be disclosed or sold to third parties.

• If you are from the commercial sector, please see our services for commercial users instead.

Independent access via the booking system

The preferred way for academic users is self-service open access. The instrument running cost is fully covered by the Centre — users pay only the administration and training fees. Self-service users gain independent access to all labs and can book any instrument once authorised for it through proper training.

Register

Sign up through the Centre’s user registration system. Your registration is confirmed once we receive your signed User Fee Agreement and Solemn Declaration.

Sign the User Fee Agreement & Solemn Declaration

Print, sign, and (if applicable) have your faculty advisor or sponsor sign it. Bring it to the User Office or email a scan to cem@ipm.cz.

Study the User Manual & complete the training tests

Work through the User Manual and complete the online test for each lab section you intend to work in (see General training).

Attend a safety excursion

Schedule a laboratory safety excursion with the User Office. Users handling dangerous chemicals (e.g. HF) must also complete the “Handling of toxic and dangerous chemical substances” training.

Train on individual instruments

Once the access requirements are complete, you can begin instrument-specific training and start working independently.

Report your outputs

During your access, send us your publications and scientific outputs (with acknowledgement to the Centre). When renewing, submit a new User Fee Agreement with your list of publications, or an activity report if none were produced.

Self-service membership · per year (excl. VAT)

* Available to users who have already paid the full user fee at another CzechNanoLab site, for the remaining validity period of that active membership. Example: if the original membership is valid until 5 May 2027, the discounted access may be granted only until that date.

We process your samples for you

For occasional users where training is not feasible, our staff can process your samples as a full service. No training is required — your samples are handled by Centre staff, and you may be present at the measurement only as a visitor under supervision of authorised personnel.

1. Discuss your requirements
   Contact the User Office at cem@ipm.cz (or by phone) to discuss your processing needs.

2. Receive a quotation
   The finance department sends a quotation for the requested services. Internal invoicing from CEITEC/BUT projects can be supported.

3. Send the purchase order
   If you agree with the quotation, send the purchase order back to the User Office.

4. We process & report
   Our staff process your samples and prepare a processing / measurement report.

5. Receive data & invoice
   Upon agreement, an invoice is emailed together with your samples or measurement data.

Academic full-service · indicative hourly rates (excl. VAT)

Indicative rates only — an additional fee applies for analysis of results if requested. EUR amounts are approximate (≈ 24 CZK = 1 EUR).

Crediting the Centre & its staff