Special call for LCLS Scientific Campaign Proposals in the area of “Understanding & Controlling the Properties & Function of Complex Materials”

Letters of Interest for new LCLS Scientific Campaigns are solicited in the area of “Understanding & Controlling the Properties & Function of Complex Materials”, for experiments that will start in Run 27 (ca. Sept. 2026 onwards). Further details of the targeted science area for this call are provided below.

Submission of a Scientific Campaign proposal requires advanced submission approval from the LCLS Director - based on a brief Letter Of Interest (LOI). 

LOIs are to be submitted before 4:00 pm (Pacific Time) on December 10, 2025.

Submit an LOI here

LCLS Scientific Campaigns are an augmentation of the Regular Proposal process to support extensive research programs, requiring a series of beamtimes over multiple years, and targeting specific areas where there is great potential for transformative scientific impact from the unique capabilities of an XFEL such as LCLS. Scientific campaigns are expected to be proposed and conducted by a comprehensive research team of experts (e.g. synthesis, experiment, theory, etc.). The scientific scope, level of ambition and impact of the proposed research must be well above that of a Regular Proposal.

Note that only a small number of campaign proposals will be accepted, consistent with ~10% of the available beam time for the collective sum of all ongoing campaigns.

Proposals that are not awarded beam time as a multi-year “campaign” will be automatically considered by the Proposal Review Panel for allocation of a single beam time in Run 27. For further details regarding Scientific Campaign proposals and review criteria, please see the updated proposal preparation guidelines and proposal review process.

LCLS Partnership and Contact Information

Close partnership with the LCLS facility, as evidenced by strong involvement of LCLS/SLAC staff, is required for successful Scientific Campaign proposals. Early and substantive discussions with LCLS/SLAC staff are strongly encouraged (already at the LOI stage). These discussions will also serve to identify potential needs for other SLAC facilities (e.g. time-resolved beamlines at SSRL) and help to develop a coordinated plan.

For this call, the primary point(s) of contact for initial discussion are:

• Bob Schoenlein (LCLS Deputy for Science): rwschoen@slac.stanford.edu
• Apurva Mehta (LCLS Materials Science Department Head): mehta@slac.stanford.edu
• Alex Reid (LCLS MeV-UED Facility Director): alexhmr@slac.stanford.edu

Scientific Campaign Target Area

This call for Scientific Campaigns is targeting areas of materials science and condensed matter physics where unique LCLS capabilities and expertise will lead to significant science impact.

Successful proposals need to be comprehensive research programs that will deliver a qualitative advance in the field, and not just a series of experiments that could be accomplished through Regular Proposals. Campaign proposals are not limited to an individual LCLS instrument, and successful proposals should give thoughtful consideration to achieving the greatest science impact from the suite of LCLS capabilities spanning hard and soft X-rays and UED. Furthermore, proposals should consider how to best exploit the capabilities of the superconducting accelerator, noting that LCLS-II-HE is expected to become available to users in late 2027 to mid 2028, depending on the instrument. See LCLS staff for details.

Motivation & Example Science Opportunities (not exclusive):

• Advancing our understanding and control of non-equilibrium processes, transformations, structural dynamics and emergent novel phases in complex materials beyond model systems
• Understanding and controlling collective modes, topological structures, charge/spin ordering, novel phases, and emergent properties in quantum materials that might underpin future computation and communication technologies
• Advancing our understanding of fundamental transport mechanisms (charge, spin, polarons, magnons, energy, mass etc.) in solids and glasses; and flow mechanisms and other rheological properties of liquids, gels, and polymers.
• Understanding the role of stochastic dynamics, heterogeneity, fluctuations and disorder in determining the properties and evolution of materials under conditions and environments relevant for materials function (e.g. for energy technologies, microelectronics, or other future applications).
• Advancing our understanding and control of fundamental materials nucleation and synthesis processes
  Fundamental studies of materials degradation and failure mechanisms with the potential to transform fabrication, functionality and reliability in advanced materials and devices
• In all the topical areas of this campaign call there is a strong overarching interest in campaigns with compelling plans to exploit comprehensive (curated) X-ray datasets with AI/ML methods to drive transformative advances in a given area. This includes deep learning methods using X-ray datasets, and AI/ML enhanced theory and rapid guidance and feedback on experiments.
• Additional suggestions of priority research opportunities can be found in the following:
  • BES Basic Research Needs and Roundtable Reports
  • Energy Frontier Research Centers
  • Energy Innovation Hubs
  • Basic Energy Sciences Roundtable on Producing and Managing Large Scientific Data with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Additional Guidance

• Successful proposals must describe a comprehensive research program, identifying all elements necessary to maximize the science impact, e.g. including experiment, data analysis, sample synthesis, theory, or other essential complementary studies.
• A clear case must be made for both the scientific significance of an integrated series of LCLS experiments, and that the information is inaccessible by other means.
• Advances on a materials system/problem of broad importance to the field that will be enabled by a suite of new LCLS capabilities spanning soft, tender, and hard X-rays will be considered. This may include: qRIXS, TXI, XPP, XCS, MEC, MeV-UED or other instruments; multi-modal and other advanced experimental methods; novel sample delivery; targeted stimuli; novel X-ray pulse formats; advanced data analytics, etc.
• Note that co-development of new capabilities can be a compelling aspect of a Scientific Campaign, but the focus of the proposed research should not be on method development or on demonstration experiments, but rather on answering significant science questions as recognized by the broader materials science and condensed matter physics communities.

Scientific campaigns that combine the use of LCLS with other facilities or complementary methods are welcomed. Coordination with other SLAC facilities may be facilitated at the LOI stage through discussions with LCLS leadership and scientific staff.

Letter of Interest Format

Letter of Interest Template (.docx file)

The Letter of Interest (2-page max., in pdf format) should follow the provided template and include a high-level description of the following:

• Science motivation - impact of proposed program must be significant (and widely recognizable) with high chance of success.
  • Will the proposed sequence of experiments result in a qualitative advance on an important science challenge?
• Clear justification for a series of beamtimes with well-defined scope and objectives. Outline the milestones to be accomplished in each beamtime, and how this advances the larger goal of the Scientific Campaign.
  • What scientific advance will be accomplished, how, by whom, and over what period of time?
  • Why couldn’t this be accomplished through a Regular Proposal or Rapid Access Proposal?
• Outline the unique capabilities and expertise of LCLS that are required, including close partnership with the LCLS facility as evidenced by strong involvement of LCLS/SLAC staff. Outline other essential needs for a successful Scientific Campaign, and how these needs will be met (e.g. other facilities, personnel, expertise, resources etc.)
  • Why is LCLS essential for the proposed Scientific Campaign?
  • Why is this in the strategic interest (scientific and/or technical) of LCLS?
  • Who will be the main LCLS (or SLAC) staff contributing to this effort?
• Campaign team and likelihood of success - briefly outline how the campaign will be structured for success. Note that the strongest proposals will be comprised of a well-integrated and comprehensive team providing all the essential expertise to make a significant scientific advance, for example incorporating experiment experts, synthesis, theory, data analysis etc.
  • Are all the other essential elements for success identified and arranged?

One additional page of references may be included, in addition to the 2-page letter of interest.

Timeline for Scientific Campaign submissions starting in Run 27

Note: The call for Regular User Proposals will be issued in January 2026 with a deadline for submissions in late February 2026.

Run 27 experiments are expected to be scheduled from September 2026 through March 2027.

Submit Letter of Interest (LOI)

Use the form below or click here to open it in full-page format