Proposal Guidelines
The IMAGINE project is developing next-generation imaging services for biology across multiple scales. It provides innovative technologies to probe the structure and function of biological specimens in their natural context and supports their adoption across Research Infrastructures (RIs), including EMBRC, Euro-BioImaging, and Instruct-ERIC.
Independent external validation is essential to support the implementation and uptake of these innovations. This pilot call will provide funded access for external research teams to test and evaluate selected IMAGINE-developed technologies by applying them to real-world research questions.
Aim of the Call
This pilot access call will provide funded access to support external validation projects that use new IMAGINE technologies and address defined imaging research questions. The results and feedback generated by the selected projects will help refine and optimise the technologies and workflows ahead of their broader deployment.
Through this call, the IMAGINE project will support a minimum of three funded pilot access projects.
What is Offered
Selected external teams will receive funded test access to new Imagine services, including:
Funding Available
Use of the new IMAGINE service requested through this call will be supported by a maximum of €10,000 per project to cover the costs in the facility requested. A contribution of up to €500 will also be available to support eligible costs associated with the access, including travel, accommodation, or shipping expenses for remote access.
Call Submission Guidelines
Eligibility
The call is open to external research teams wishing to test IMAGINE-developed technologies to address a defined research question requiring imaging across multiple scales.
Proposed projects should be aligned with the objectives of IMAGINE and be feasible within the pilot access framework. Applicants must be ready to begin their access immediately following selection for example, with samples prepared and ready for analysis.
All selected projects must be completed by the end of 2027.
Selection Criteria
Projects will be selected following IMAGINE access guidelines:
- Scientific excellence and innovation
- Feasibility and sample readiness
- Relevance to the IMAGINE objectives
- Potential impact and contribution to workflow development
Expected Feedback
Selected user teams will be expected to provide structured feedback on the performance of the service and associated workflows. This should include any validation data or research results generated during the access period, as well as a short final summary report using the template provided by IMAGINE.
Contact
For questions and submission details: sanjana.singh@embl.de and sarah.townend@instruct-eric.org