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

Download and complete the Application Form.

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.

Download and complete the Registration Form.

Registration Form

Please note that the Registration Form requires signatures in a couple of different places.

Download and follow the instructions on the CNS Safety Form.

CNS Safety Form

Complete the CNS Safety Form: CNS Safety Form

Please note that the steps required on this form include:

*A. Reading the CNS Safety Manual
*B. Completing the CNS Safety Orientation (see info below) at the Harvard Training Portal and including a copy of the completion certificate from the portal along with the Safety form.

* 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 complete the online safety orientation.

Please note that the CNS Safety Orientation 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 Orientation and any other EH&S or departmental Basic Safety Training are not interchangeable and cannot be substituted for one another.

You will need a HU Key in order to access the training, so please email us at info@cns.fas.harvard.edu if you do not have a HUID and HU Key online credential.

CNS Safety Orientation Notices:

How to take the CNS Safety Orientation:
As of May 2024, the CNS Safety Orientation (formerly known as the CNS Safety Training) has moved to the online Harvard Training Portal (HTP) at the URL: https://trainingportalinfo.harvard.edu/

You can navigate directly to the CNS Safety Orientation via the URL: https://trainingportal.harvard.edu/Saba/Web_spf/NA1PRD0068/common/leclassview/dowbt-0000273303

Alternatively, you can also access the orientation by logging in to the HTP home page. Just put ‘CNS’ in the search bar in the upper right hand corner. All CNS online training options will result. Select the CNS Safety Orientation and complete that training.

The orientation will last for about an hour. Once done with the orientation, get a copy of the completion certificate available in the HTP and send it to info@cns.fas.harvard.edu. (do not forgot to also send the CNS Safety Form along with the certificate).

Turn Enrollment Forms Packet to CNS Admin. Office (LISE 304)

Once the Application Form, proposal, Registration Form, Safety Form, and CNS Safety Orientation completion certificate 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 (email is the preferred method), hand delivered to LISE 304, sent via interoffice mail, faxed to 617-384-7302 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.

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. You do not need to wait for a reply and you should feel free to continue on to steps 2 and 3.

Download Application Form

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.

Email completed Application Form and Proposal

Please e-mail the Application Form and proposal to nninapply@cns.fas.harvard.edu.

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.

CNS Project Approval

Once CNS approves the project, you will be notified by e-mail. Proceed to step 6 upon approval.

Complete The Following Enrollment Forms

Download and complete the following enrollment forms:

Registration Form
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 CNS does not take the money from the PO upfront. The minimum PO amount also 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 invoices for actual usage/service.

Download and follow the instructions on the CNS Safety Form.

CNS Safety Form

Complete the CNS Safety Form: CNS Safety Form

Please note that the steps required on this form include:

*A. Reading the CNS Safety Manual
*B. Attending the CNS Safety Orientation (see info below) at the Harvard Training Portal and including a copy of the completion certificate from the portal along with the Safety form.

* 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 complete the safety orientation.

Please note that the CNS Safety Orientation 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.

You will need a HU Key in order to access the orientation. Unless you have a HU Key already through another affiliation, you will get a HUID and HU Key once step 6 of the Non-Harvard User enrollment steps are complete.

CNS Safety Orientation Notices:

How to take the CNS Safety Orientation:
As of May 2024, the CNS Safety Orientation (formerly known as the CNS Safety Training) has moved to the online Harvard Training Portal (HTP) at the URL: https://trainingportalinfo.harvard.edu/

You can navigate directly to the CNS Safety Orientation via the URL: https://trainingportal.harvard.edu/Saba/Web_spf/NA1PRD0068/common/leclassview/dowbt-0000273303

The orientation will last for about an hour. Once done with the orientation, get a copy of the completion certificate available in the HTP and send it to info@cns.fas.harvard.edu. (Please do not forget to also send a copy of the Safety form along with the certificate).

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 (email method is preferred), 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.

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.