Survey Confirms Success of Canadian Access Program at ISIS Neutron and Muon Source

A survey of Canadian researchers confirms the success and high impact of the Canadian access program to the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source (ISIS), operated through a partnership between Neutrons Canada and ISIS with support from the UK International​ Science Partnerships Fund.

The initiative provided 20 Canadian research groups with the opportunity to perform neutron beam experiments at ISIS—one of the world’s leading large-scale neutron sources. According to the recently completed exit survey, which gathered responses from 85% of participating groups, the program is credited with enabling valuable scientific outcomes and training opportunities, especially for early-career researchers.

This partnership secured access for Canadians during a period when domestic neutron beam capacity remains very limited.

“This program has not only enabled high-quality science and training for Canadians but has also strengthened our bonds with international partners,” said Dr. John Barrett, Chair of the Board of Neutrons Canada. “We are deeply grateful to the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source and the UK International​ Science Partnerships Fund. The results of this survey affirm the value of the partnership, and we look forward to opportunities to continue the partnership in the future.”

Highlights from the Survey

• Value of the program: Respondents overwhelmingly rated this program as important to continue and they would apply again it were offered.
• Training impact: Over 80% of experiments included a student or postdoctoral researcher participating on-site.
• New user engagement: A majority of participants were first-time users of ISIS.
  • “My research group consists of first-time ISIS users and would not have submitted proposals to this source otherwise. We will definitely use this facility more in the future.”
• High satisfaction: 91% said the competition design was fair; nearly 60% rated ISIS’s instrumentation as “excellent”; and over 80% rated the support provided by ISIS staff as “excellent.”
• Travel support: Nearly 90% of applicants said the travel funding from the program was important to their decision to apply.
  • “The travel funding was crucial for our on-site participation as budgets are very tight”

Respondents consistently praised the responsiveness and professionalism of ISIS staff, with many noting how their scientific contacts at ISIS enhanced the quality of their experiments and learning experience.

• “Interacting with the local contact enable us to better design our experiment.”
• “The entire proposal submission, experiment planning and assistance on site were fantastic.”
• “Everything was perfect for our experiment.”
• “Staff at ISIS were fantastic and really helped our team from proposal writing to data analysis.”

Canadian collaboration

The program’s success was rooted in Canadian collaboration. The University of Windsor played a pivotal role in initiating discussions that led to this Canada–UK partnership. The Canadian neutron community came together quickly in support for such a partnership in its Long-Range Plan.

Looking Ahead

Neutrons Canada remains committed to building international collaborations that enable Canadian researchers to access world-class neutron beam facilities. As the organization continues working toward restoring and expanding Canada’s domestic capabilities, partnerships like the one with ISIS will remain essential.

“We are encouraged by the strong outcomes of this partnership and the shared enthusiasm to keep building together,” said Dr. Barrett. “Let’s keep this relationship alive.”

Download the Survey Results

The survey was conducted for Neutrons Canada in collaboration with the Canadian Institute for Neutron Scattering.