ANSIR: Terms and Conditions

 

This page contains details about application eligibility and procedure for access to ANSIR equipment and services, along with terms and conditions of use. If you need more information, please contact the AuScope National Geophysics Program Manager, Dr Ben Kay.

Plain Language Summary

This summary explains what you need to know before applying to use ANSIR equipment or services:

  • Who can apply? ANSIR equipment and services are available to researchers from Australian and international universities, publicly funded research organisations, and industry partners. Due to high demand, access is prioritised based on scientific merit. The lead applicant, known as the Principal Investigator (PI), is responsible for coordinating the project and meeting all related obligations.

  • What can you borrow? You can request access to passive seismic sensors, active-source seismic gear, magnetotelluric (MT) instruments, distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), and petrophysical tools (field or lab-based).

  • How do you apply? Speak with a Scientific Coordinator before applying. Complete the online application form. Your proposal will be reviewed by the ANSIR Access Committee.

  • When should you apply? Applications are accepted year-round and processed as received. Some instruments are in high demand, so apply as early as possible to improve your chances of securing the equipment you need

  • What are your responsibilities? PIs must provide accurate information, confirm training needs, and cover all project costs, including freight, consumables, logistics, insurance, and mobilisation. Users must clean and repack all equipment before return and submit data and reports on time..

  • What does it cost? You must pay for mobilisation, transport, consumables, and equipment insurance. Specific cost details vary depending on the ANSIR Facility providing the equipment.

  • What about data? Data and metadata must be submitted to national repositories (e.g., AusPass, NCI) within six months of project completion. Public access is required unless an embargo is approved. Projects must follow FAIR and CARE principles and use ISO 19115-1:2014 metadata standards.

  • What happens after approval? If your project is approved, your institution must sign a formal Project Agreement with the relevant ANSIR Facility before any equipment can be released. This agreement confirms responsibilities for logistics, insurance, and data compliance.

Online Application Form

Applications to access ANSIR facilities must now be made through our online application form. Click the link below to submit your application.

Terms & conditions

The following Terms and Conditions govern the use of equipment, services, and support provided by the ANSIR Research Facility for Earth Sounding. By submitting an application and participating in an ANSIR-supported project, the Principal Investigator (PI) and affiliated institutions agree to the following:

1. Eligibility and Access

  • Access is open to:

    • Researchers based at Australian or international academic institutions;

    • Publicly funded research organisations (e.g., GA, CSIRO; State Geological Surveys);

    • Industry users, subject to partnership agreements or fee-based models.

  • Applications are accepted year-round and assessed on:

    • Scientific merit by the ANSIR Access Committee;

    • Instrument availability;

    • Alignment with national research priorities.

  • Users must meet all project operating costs, including insurance and mobilisation fees endorsed by the ANSIR Steering Committee.

  • All applicants must consult with the relevant Scientific Coordinator prior to submission.

  • Successful applicants must sign a Project Agreement between their institution and the ANSIR equipment provider. No equipment will be released until this agreement is executed.

2. Application Requirements

  • All applications must be submitted through the online ANSIR Application Form. This includes details on:

    • Project title and scientific objectives

    • Field crew experience and co-applicants

    • Equipment request and deployment design

    • Funding, timing, and expected data outputs

  • Applicants should review the current ANSIR Online Application Form at for the full list of fields and file uploads required. Consultation with a Scientific Coordinator is mandatory prior to submission.

3. Equipment Use and Responsibilities

  • Principle Investigators are responsible for:

    • All project-related costs (e.g. consumables, customs, all logistics and fieldwork);

    • Providing adequate insurance for the equipment;

    • Ensuring trained personnel handle ANSIR equipment;

    • Transporting, deploying, and returning equipment in original working order.

  • Equipment must be returned:

    • Clean, dry, and packed using original materials;

    • In ready-to-use condition;

    • With completed handover and metadata forms.

  • Borrowers are liable for:

    • Repair or replacement costs due to damage or loss;

    • Minimum liability set at 10% of equipment value;

    • Full replacement cost for total loss or severe damage, adjusted by depreciation.

  • Overseas users must manage all customs/export/import procedures. ANSIR does not act as exporter of record.

  • All equipment must be inspected before field deployment. Faults or missing items must be reported immediately.

4. Training and Support

  • ANSIR may provide training or deployment support, subject to availability.

  • Users must declare training needs in the application.

  • On-site or remote support may be offered for new users or international teams.

  • Applicants are encouraged to make arrangements for training early through the relevant Scientific Coordinators.

5. Data Management and Embargo Policy

  • All data generated through ANSIR-supported projects must be managed in accordance with the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) and CARE (Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility, Ethics) principles.

  • In compliance with national and international best practices, all data must:

    • Be stored in an openly accessible repository;

    • Include metadata that, at a minimum, follows ISO 19115-1:2014 standards, specifically: Identifier, Creator, Title, Publisher, Funder, Publication Year, Resource Type, and License;

    • Be documented throughout the project lifecycle, from creation through to publication, where reasonably possible.

  • Data and metadata must be submitted within 6 months of project completion to:

    • AusPass (passive seismic);

    • NCI (magnetotelluric);

    • Other appropriate national repositories for DAS or petrophysical data.

  • Metadata must include:

    • Digital field logs (PDF, CSV, or XLSX);

    • Instrument serial numbers, station coordinates and elevations;

    • Deployment configuration and any setup deviations;

    • Deployment dates.

  • Embargoes up to 2 years are allowed for publication or commercial sensitivity. Requests must be documented in the application.

  • Projects conducted on Indigenous lands must demonstrate appropriate consultation and Indigenous data governance aligned with CARE principles.

  • FDSN network codes are required for passive seismic projects. DOIs are encouraged for discoverability.

6. Reporting Requirements

  • A Project Performance Report (PPR) must be submitted within 14 business days of equipment return, using the ANSIR online form.

  • The PPR collects feedback on:

    • Equipment used, number of stations, and project duration;

    • Logistics, support, and training experience;

    • Equipment performance, data quality, and handling;

    • Technical issues encountered;

    • Outputs and acknowledgements;

    • User experience and suggestions for improvement;

    • Project impact, collaborations, and engagement.

  • Optional: Users may upload photos and captions for outreach purposes with consent.

  • The PI is responsible for timely and complete submission. Failure to do so may result in restricted access to future ANSIR equipment and services.

7. Publications and Acknowledgements

  • All outputs resulting from ANSIR-supported work must:

    • Acknowledge ANSIR support;

    • Include the ANSIR project loan number.

  • The ANSIR logo may be used in presentations

  • Open access publication is encouraged.

  • See the ANSIR Acknowledgement page for publication ready examples.

8. Institutional Responsibilities

  • Institutions must:

    • Approve the application prior to submission;

    • Accept insurance and mobilisation responsibilities under the Project Agreement;

    • Nominate a legal or administrative contact.

  • The signed Project Agreement is a prerequisite for equipment dispatch.

  • Institutions must ensure all data obligations are met.

9. Legal and Governance Provisions

  • ANSIR accepts no liability for:

    • Suitability of instruments for specific scientific aims;

    • Accuracy of measured data;

    • Losses due to unforeseen equipment failure or delays.

  • Disputes will be managed per the ANSIR Agreement’s dispute resolution process. Unresolved matters may be referred to arbitration in the ACT.

10. Acceptance

  • By submitting an application:

    • The PI confirms all information is complete and accurate;

    • The PI agrees to these Terms and Conditions;

    • Institutional approval is confirmed;

    • The PI agrees to enter into a Project Agreement if the application is approved.

Version: March 2025

 

SITE NAVIGATION
ANSIR Home
ANSIR Online Application
ANSIR Project Performance Report
ANSIR Acknowledgment
ANSIR Terms and Conditions


KEY CONTACTS
AuScope National Geophysics
Program Manager: Dr Ben Kay


SCIENTIFIC COORDINATORS
For portable seismic and OBS experiments: Kimberley Berends,
Australian National Uni 

For electromagnetic experiments:
Prof Graham Heinson, Adelaide Uni

For petrophysical experiments:
Dr Dan Sandiford, Melbourne Uni

For reflection seismic services:
Marina Costelloe and Donna Cathro
Geoscience Australia