CNST Costs and Payments - Project Types and Associated Costs

Topic List (click to go to topic):

• Costs and Payments: A brief description of our charges and billing system for NanoFab access, tool use and assistance.
• Project Types and Associated Costs: A description of how rates differ depending on the nature of the work you are doing in the NanoFab.
• How We Bill and Payment Options: Payment options for all types of users.

Standard Rate vs. Reduced Rate

The CNST NanoFab offers a two tiered rate schedule that, unlike some other national nanofabrication user facilities, is based on the nature of your work NOT your affiliation. Non-proprietary projects may be considered for reduced rates. The decision to award reduced rates will be based on the extent to which the proposed project will develop innovative nanoscale measurement and fabrication capabilities to support nanoscale technology from discovery to production, including the likelihood of publications, patents, new processes, commercial products, and other outputs that benefit the public. Our rates are published online and can be found here.

Types of Projects and Users

The CNST NanoFab is a national facility open to all researchers from both inside and outside NIST, i.e., from industry, academia, and government. At this time, no preferential or expedited treatment is given to any one particular category. In order to serve our customers in the most efficient manner, and to comply with the necessary policy and security requirements we categorize new and existing facility use applications into either internal or external. This classification is made based on the source of the funds used to pay the costs associated with the NanoFab work.

Internal – costs will be paid from a NIST account with a NIST work order

Internal projects are those in which the costs for NanoFab work will be paid from a NIST account with a NIST work order. In these circumstances the NIST Organizational Unit (OU) that provides the funds is also responsible for providing campus access, securing IT accounts and providing non-lab work space for any research participants working at the NanoFab.

External – costs will be paid by home institution

External projects are those in which the costs for NanoFab work are paid directly to CNST from the external account of the user's home institution. A Facility Use Agreement is required and must be signed by both CNST and the sponsoring institution. In these circumstances CNST will assist the home institution in providing campus access, securing IT accounts and providing non-lab work space for any research participants working at the NanoFab Users on external projects may have more limited access to the NIST campus and to NIST IT resources.

Other - See Manager

If you upon review of the above sections you feel that neither applies to your situation please contact the nfmanage [at] nist.gov (NanoFab facility manager).