BeamNetUS: Accelerating Beam-Based Research

Beam test facilities have been an integral part of accelerator science research, education, and applications development. However, awareness of their capabilities is limited, and potential new researchers typically face a multitude of barriers in accessing their capabilities, such as a lack of centralized information on facility capabilities or how to engage with them. BeamNetUS is a network of facilities that aims to directly address these problems through improving awareness and access to these unique facilities. For its pilot campaign, the network includes facilities at Argonne National Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, and Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. These facilities provide complementary capabilities enabling research in plasma physics, beam physics, material science, radiofrequency sources and structures, nuclear physics and electron beam irradiation. This talk will discuss the structure of BeamNetUS as well as the network's efforts in creating a streamlined process for engagement in order to provide access to these facilities for groups without established connections. A program of awards evaluated through a competitive review process with a remit towards creating new, productive engagements will allow access to the facilities without cost for non-proprietary use in 2025.