How do I become a CNS User?
In order to use CNS facilities or resources, you must first enroll in the CNS/NNCI User Program. CNS facilities are open to academic and non-academic researchers whose institution is based in the United States, who enroll in the user program. The enrollment process is different, depending on whether you are a Harvard user or outside user.
This section defaults to the Harvard User version of the steps/forms, so please click the Non-Harvard User tab is you are not using a 33-digit internal Harvard account code to cover the cost of usage. If you are unsure about whether you are considered a Harvard or non-Harvard/outside user, please email us at: info@cns.fas.harvard.edu.
Before you start the enrollment process, it is recommended that you first read the brief one-page document 'A Quick CNS Guide' as it contains all of the basic information regarding the User Program, where to find information, and who to contact should you have any questions or concerns.
Another useful resource for new and enrolling CNS Users is the CNS User FAQ document. CNS User Program FAQ
01
Download and complete the Application Form.
Please make sure to write a project description as requested on the page two of the Application Form. The proposal does not need to be long but must contain the requested information. Please remember to give your project a title as requested at the top of the application form.
02
Download and complete the Registration Form.
Please note that the Registration Form requires signatures in a couple of different places.
03
Download and follow the instructions on the CNS Safety Form.
Please note that the steps required on this form include:
*A. Reading the CNS Safety Manual
*B. Attending the CNS Safety Training (see info below)
* Please note that Remote Use ONLY users (users who will never be onsite) do not need to complete this step. All other users must read the manual and attend the safety training.
Please note that the CNS Safety Training contains information that is specific to CNS labs and the LISE and SEC buildings. This training is different than any other HU EH&S Basic Lab Safety Training. The CNS Safety Training and any other EH&S or departmental Basic Safety Training are not interchangeable and cannot be substituted for one another.
LISE CNS Safety Training Notices:
The last CNS Safety Training of 2023 will be on Wed. Dec. 20th. The first CNS Safety Training of 2024 will be on Wed. Jan 10th. There will NOT be trainings on 12/27 or 1/3.
How to sign-up for a CNS Safety Training:
The CNS Safety Training is currently held as a virtual event via Zoom on Wednesday mornings from 10:00 – 11:15. To attend an upcoming session, please send an email to: infoATcns.fas.harvard.edu (replace the word AT with the @ symbol) with the subject line: ‘CNS Safety Training’ and include the date of the session you wish to attend in the body of the email. Please note that the cutoff for that week’s training sign-up is 2pm on the day before. Zoom link for the training will be sent by 5pm the afternoon before the training.
04
Turn Enrollment Forms Packet to CNS Admin. Office (LISE 304)
Once the Application Form, proposal, Registration Form, and Safety Form are complete, please return them all as one packet to the CNS Administrative Office. The packet can be sent via email to: info@cns.fas.harvard.edu, hand delivered to LISE 304, sent via interoffice mail, faxed to 617-384-7302Â or sent by U.S. Mail to:
James Reynolds
Center for Nanoscale Systems
Harvard University
11 Oxford Street, LISE 304
Cambridge, MA 02138
Once the packet is in the hands of the CNS Administrative Office, and verified as complete, you are considered officially enrolled as a CNS User. You will receive an email within 24-48 hours of turning in the completed packet to confirm that your enrollment is complete.
Within the User Info section of the CNS website are specific instructions for each of the major facility areas of CNS. For training on the facility or tool(s) you need to use, please consult the following links for information on how to begin the training and qualification process:
Please read the General User Information and Policy area of the User Section of the CNS website as it contains additional important information for CNS facility users.
01
Contact CNS to initiate your project
Send an e-mail to nninapply@cns.fas.harvard.edu briefly describing your project, what facilities, tools, or processes are required, and any questions you may have regarding use of CNS facilities.
02
Download Application Form
Complete the Application Form and write a proposal as requested on page two of the form. Please make sure to give your project a title.
03
Email completed Application Form and Proposal
Please e-mail the Application Form and proposal to nninapply@cns.fas.harvard.edu.
04
CNS Project Review
A CNS technical staff member will review your proposal and determine whether CNS has the capabilities and facilities to perform the project. They may contact you with any questions or concerns about your project.
If you have already contacted a member of the CNS Technical Staff and discussed the basics of your project and they informed you that we have the capabilities required to carryout the project, then proceed directly to Step 6.
Please allow 24-48 hours for proposal review.
05
CNS Project Approval
Once CNS approves the project, you will be notified by e-mail. Proceed to step 6 upon approval.
06
Complete The Following Enrollment Forms
Download and complete the following enrollment forms:
- Registration FormÂ
- Harvard Sponsored Role Form (please note that since this form requests personal information it is recommended that this form be returned via a secure, encrypted email method or a password protected file)
- Billing Information Form
- Memorandum of Understanding
Please note that the Billing Information Form and MOU require signatures other than those of the User. Also, a copy of the Purchase Order document is required*. The Institutional signature on the MOU needs to be someone who has the authority to sign on behalf of your institution. Normally, Users, PIs, and administrative assistants do not have this authority.
Please note that the minimum PO amount does not mean that is the minimum charge that you will receive from CNS. We have the PO minimum in place to prevent delays in payment when a PO amount is set too low. CNS only actually charges for actual usage/service.
07
Download and follow the instructions on the CNS Safety Form.
Please note that the steps required on this form include:
*A. Reading the CNS Safety Manual
*B. Attending the CNS Safety Training (see info below)
* Please note that Remote Use ONLY users who will NEVER be on-site do not need to complete this step.  All other users must read the manual and attend the safety training.
Please note that the CNS Safety Training contains information that is specific to CNS labs and the LISE and SEC buildings. As such, this training is not interchangeable and cannot be substituted for any another safety training taken at Harvard or elsewhere.
CNS Safety Training Notices:
The last CNS Safety Training of 2023 will be on Wed. Dec. 20th. The first CNS Safety Training of 2024 will be on Wed. Jan 10th. There will NOT be trainings on 12/27 or 1/3.
How to sign-up for a CNS Safety Training:
The CNS Safety Training is currently held as a virtual event via Zoom on Wednesday mornings from 10:00 – 11:15. To attend an upcoming session, please send an email to: infoATcns.fas.harvard.edu (replace the word AT with the @ symbol) with the subject line: ‘CNS Safety Training’ and include the date of the session you wish to attend in the body of the email. Please note that the cutoff for that week’s training sign-up is 2pm on the day before the training. Zoom link for the training will be sent by 5pm the afternoon before the training.
08
Completion of Enrollment Process
Once completed and signed, the enrollment packet should be returned to the CNS Administrative Office in one of the following ways: emailed to info@cns.fas.harvard.edu, faxed to 617-384-7302, hand delivered to LISE 304, or sent by U.S. Mail to:
James Reynolds
Center for Nanoscale Systems
Harvard University
11 Oxford Street, LISE 304
Cambridge, MA 02138
Upon CNS review, CNS will send an e-mail to the user within 24-48 hours to confirm that enrollment is complete. The email will contain other important information regarding the CNS User Program.
09
Initiate Tool/Facility Training
At this point, you will be considered enrolled as a CNS User. Please note that there are other steps that must be completed in order to become qualified in order to use various CNS facilities and tools.
Please read the General User Information and Policy area of the User Info Section of the CNS website, as it contains additional important information for CNS Users.