In 2012, a work committee prepared a report mapping research-supporting activities and researchers' access to and utilisation of major international research infrastructures. Based on the recommendations in the report, the Ministry of Higher Education and Science has since financed three instrument centers - DANSCATT, IDA and NICE. In 2017, a new model for organising and funding the centres was launched and the centres are now aligned with this.
The centres are nationally anchored to support the overall Danish interests within their respective academic areas in relation to the international memberships.
DANSCATT (Instrument center for use of x-ray, synchrotron and neutron sources, and free-electron x-ray lenses)
DANSCATT's main objective is to ensure Danish users' access to international neutron and x-ray scattering facilities such as the European Synchronotron Facility (ESRF), the the European X-Ray Free-Electron Laser Facility (European XFEL), Institute Laue-Langevin (ILL) and Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI). In the future, DANSCATT will also have an important role to play in relation to the European Spallation Source (ESS) and MAX IV. The center is headed by the Technical University of Denmark on behalf of a Danish consortium, which also has representation from Aarhus University, University of Copenhagen, Roskilde University, University of Southern Denmark and Haldor Topsøe in the board.
In 2007, over 97 MSc and BSc have graduated in the field of DANSCATT (not all are counted for) and more than 460 researchers, students and scientific staff have been associated with DANSCATT-related activities. DANSCATT also funds travel to foreign facilities, postings and education.
The Ministry of Higher Education and Science has allocated DKK 4,45 million to DANSCATT in 2018.
IDA (Instrument Center for Danish Astrophysics)
IDA's main objective is to support and secure Danish astrophysical research in relation to the use of the Danish memberships of the European Southern Observatory (ESO), the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT). The center is headed by Aarhus University on behalf of a Danish consortium, which also has representation from the Technical University of Denmark, University of Copenhagen and University of Southern Denmark in the board.
IDA has approximately 80 Danish affiliated researchers and students. It funds, among other things, observation schools, observations, access to specific facilities, and development and design of new up-to-date instruments.
The Ministry of Higher Education and Science has granted DKK 1.5 million to IDA in 2018.
NICE (National Instrument Center for CERN Experiments)
NICE's main objective is to ensure Danish access to the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). The center is headed by the University of Copenhagen on behalf of a Danish consortium, which also has representation from Aarhus University, Technical University of Denmark and University of Southern Denmark.
NICE has approximately 125 affiliated researchers and students. It funds, among other things, postings and travels to CERN, as well as the operation, development and construction of new instruments.
The Ministry of Higher Education and Science has granted DKK 7.15 million to NICE in 2018.