Long-Term Visitors
Download the LTV application form, fill it out and hand over the original form duly signed to your group / department / division assitant.
You will be notified by email when your LTV status is approved.
The ILL receives visitors from external organisations who spend extended periods of time on the site, collaborating on research activities, exchanging scientific and technical knowledge, or on an exchange visit from a partner research centre.
The ILL acknowledges the benefits that long-term visitors bring to the Institute and is keen to ensure that their working conditions enable them to perform well in their job and allow them to develop both professionally and socially for the benefit of both their employer and the ILL.
LTV application form
Categories of Long-Term Visitors
The ILL welcomes several categories of Long-Term Visitor to the ILL. Most visitors are involved in the scientific and technical life of the institute in the following ways:
• Scientists, engineers and technicians from neutron research laboratories world-wide, but especially from Associate and Scientific Member countries, collaborating on experimental facilities and technical developments, and/or working on experiments that take many months to complete.
• Scientists on sabbatical leave from universities who spend an extended period in the active research environment of the ILL to carry out a prepared scientific programme free from their regular teaching or administrative duties.
• Members of Colllaborative Research Groups (CRG) and Externally Funded Initiatives (EFI), building and/or operating CRG or EFI facilities at the ILL.
• PhD students from partner universities for whom a major part of their research is based on experimental results obtained at ILL.
• Post-doctoral research scientists acting on behalf of ILL user groups based in partner universities.
• Engineers and computer experts working on specialised projects for the development of new techniques or infrastructure.
The ILL recognises that these scientific collaborations globally benefit the ILL by contributing to the scientific life and reputation of the institute and by helping to establish mutually beneficial relationships with other national or international research organisations.
Renewal of a LTV status
For a LTV renewal, the person must proceed in 2 steps:
1. Re-complete the initial LTV application form with the new dates of the stay, the employer’s signature and the medical fitness certificate.
2. Use the ILL GED interface to renew the status (ILL intranet):
- Connect to the ILL GED system using your ILL username and password (personal session)
- Use the Load>Files menu in the LTV Renewal document area to load a single PDF file that includes both your signed form and your valid medical certificate for your new stay.
This will automatically trigger a validation process within the ILL. You will be able to follow the progress of your file at the same address.
If you have any concerns, please contact ged@ill.fr.
New LTV status application
Criteria for accepting LTVs
Long-Term Visitors represent a significant fraction of the scientific and technical personnel who work at ILL, but are not employed by the ILL. They are however, consumers of vital and limited resources (office space, computing facilities, technical resources) provided by the institute. The ILL therefore wishes to ensure that host facilities are only granted to candidates who fulfil the main objective of their stay – to contribute significantly to the scientific and technical life of the institute.
The criteria for granting LTV status can be met in a number of ways:
- via a contractual agreement between ILL and the visitor’s employer, as in the case of CRGs and EFIs,
- via an agreement between ILL and a Partner Institution (the employer) to exchange and/or combine experience and know-how in the development of new technologies, facilities or projects or for a specific research activity,
- through an invitation from a senior ILL staff member (Director, Head of Service or Instrument Group Leader) to further scientific research or technical development,
- as part of an agreement between ILL and a Partner Institution for the training of PhD students or young scientists,
- as part of a scientific or educational programme funded by the European Union,
- LTV status will only be granted for continuous periods of stay of more than 3 months. It will not be granted for repeated visits of less than 3 months interrupted by periods of absence, even when the total duration of the visits exceeds 3 months. For interrupted visits of this kind, temporary access can be granted for each visit. LTV status is granted for a maximum of 12 months, which may be renewed for further 12-month periods.
Applying for LTV status
LTV status may be subject to the availability of suitable office space and other facilities, and in particular the ILL may wish to postpone visits at times when such facilities are temporarily in short supply, such as during periods of major reconstruction. Institutions intending to send staff to ILL should check with the appropriate Instrument Group Leader or Head of Service that LTV status is likely to be granted for the period requested and that they will meet the conditions laid down below.
Duration of the stay
LTV status will only be granted for continuous periods of stay of more than 3 months. It will not be granted for repeated visits of less than 3 months interrupted by periods of absence, even when the total duration of the visits exceeds 3 months. For interrupted visits of this kind, temporary access can be granted for each visit. LTV status is granted for a maximum of 12 months, which may be renewed for further 12-month periods.
First-time applications must be made at least TWO MONTHS before the start of the intended stay using the ILL form (see above). Applications for renewal must be made before the previous authorisation expires. Applications must be accompanied by a valid certificate of medical fitness (see below) for work under ionising radiation if access to the ILL experimental areas is required. By signing the LTV form, the institution sending the LTV to ILL certifies that the employee has insurance covering personal accident and accidental damage to ILL facilities and third parties, valid for the full duration of the stay.
Administrative requirements
Non-French visitors must be in possession of a valid passport and for certain non-EC nationals they will need to apply for a special visa (visa scientifique). They should contact ILL administration two months before their arrival to obtain a special form (convention d'accueil) in order to apply for the visa.
Safety information
LTVs are required to attend a one-day safety-training programme, covering radiation protection, fire and other risks. The ILL is obliged to withdraw LTV status from visitors who repeatedly fail to attend the safety training.
Medical requirements
If LTVs wish to access the experimental areas, they are required to have a valid medical certificate issued by their work medical service or an approved body
Employment status and accident insurance
The ILL requires that all LTVs working at the ILL, and especially those granted access to experimental areas, must be insured against personal accident and third party accidental damage. The visitor’s employer is legally responsible for ensuring that such insurance is valid. Visitors whose employment conditions change significantly (or who change their employer during their stay) must reapply for LTV status.
Resources to be provided by the employer
In order to fulfil the objective of contributing to the scientific life of the ILL, LTVs often need other resources that are sometimes overlooked. These may include computer hardware and software, and funds for a number of purposes: travel and conference fees, samples for experiments, technical support, books and journals, and the use of telephones. Funds for these needs should be considered in advance and incorporated into the agreement, before the visit begins. It cannot be assumed that the ILL will take on these, often significant, costs.
Please refer to
for additional information.
You may find it helpful to contact L'Espace Information / Accueil chercheurs (ISSO) on the Université Grenoble campus as they provide a variety of free services and information.