Shared Resource Laboratory (SRL) Recognition Program
ISAC SRL Recognition Program
The ISAC SRL Recognition Program promotes sustained achievement of excellence in SRL operations and provides SRLs with acknowledgment and development opportunities.
About the SRL Recognition Program
One of ISAC’s primary goals is to aid and guide in the development of standards for the field of cytometry. These standards will benefit SRLs and their users by increasing the reproducibility, rigor and reliability of cytometric data. SRLs are uniquely positioned to ensure and facilitate the generation of reproducible quality data. Toward this objective, a Best Practices document for Flow Cytometry SRLs was published in Cytometry Part A in 2016. The document outlines certain standards in data management, laboratory safety, quality control and assurance, staffing, standard operating procedures, training and education, and operations. Using this document as a guide, the SRL Recognition Program was established to recognize those SRLs who have achieved a level of excellence in operations. To learn about how to apply for recognition, click here!
Benefits of the Program to Recognized Labs:
- Recognition by their peers, distinguish the SRL in global community
- Better position to attract highly qualified personnel to both SRL and institution
- Better positioned to initiate collaborations with industry
- Potential to increase success in obtaining institutional support, external funding, and publication.
- SRLs would be advertised at various ISAC venues, listed on the ISAC website, and will receive plaques to denote their success.
Application Process
Application Workflow
To apply for the ISAC SRL Recognition Program, a thorough, multi-step application must be completed. Applications are accepted between September and December each year.
- Round 1 – SRLs must supply details about their operation in order to demonstrate adherence to the Best Practices document.
- Test application feedback suggests that Round 1 applications could require many hours of work – the process and application are similar to some grant applications.
- Following review, SRLs will be asked more in-depth questions, follow up questions, provide clarification and submit documents (including selected SOPs).
- Round 2 responses will be required within two weeks.
The application includes a $500 application fee. If you live in one of ISAC’s qualifying countries, please Contact Us to access region-specific discounted rates.
Program Goals
Position ISAC as a leader in:
- Defining and recognizing best practices in flow cytometry
- Recognizing excellence in flow cytometry SRLs, with the potential for ISAC to become a leader in setting standards for SRLs focused on other technologies
- Increasing reproducibility, rigor and reliability of flow cytometry data
- Benefit SRLs and non-SRL laboratories by providing benchmarks and standards of achievement
- Recognize SRLs as models for upholding best practices in cytometry, as outlined by ISAC
- Support ISAC’s strategic goals by encouraging adherence to standards, promoting membership and engagement, and increasing ISAC’s brand visibility in the field and beyond
For more information, please contact the ISAC Programs Department using Freshdesk.
Renewal and Continuing Service
Renewal Application Process
Recognized SRLs must renew their Recognition every three years. To do so, SRLs must provide evidence that they continue to adhere to best practices and remain actively engaged with the flow cytometry and ISAC community, assisting other SRLs in achieving Recognition. Renewal applications are accepted between March and May each year.
Community Engagement Points Document:
SRLs must submit this document for validation by January 30 of their renewal year. It is recommended to submit it annually (via email) for better follow-up and feedback on meeting the requirements.
Application Form: Applicants will need to complete a form detailing their operations to demonstrate continued adherence to the Best Practices document.
Follow-Up Questions: If necessary, SRLs may be asked follow-up questions or provide additional clarification after the initial review.
Final Decision: Renewal decisions will be announced in August.
The application includes a $250 renewal fee.
Applicants in ISAC’s qualifying countries can contact ISAC Programs via Freshdesk for region-specific discounted rates.
Community Engagement Points
Applicants must provide documentation for the following activities (examples):
- Giving CYTO Tutorials (10 points)
- Giving CYTO Workshops
- CYTO SRL Posters (5 points, maximum)
- Tutorials, Workshops, etc., at associated societies
- Active participation in CYTO and associated society meetings (e.g., organizing, committees)
- Giving CYTOU Webinars
- Contributing to the SOPs repository (2 points)
- Mentoring new SRL staff and managers (subject to review)
- Sitting on external review boards for other cytometry SRLs
- Submitting manuscripts to the new SRL section of Cytometry
- Reviewing manuscripts submitted to Cytometry (SRL Communications, etc.)
- Reviewing new applicants for the Recognition Program (10 points)
- Creating short (5-minute) YouTube videos with practical information for CYTOU or volunteering for committees (formalized)
- Presenting at SRL Networking Events
Other activities (subject to review)
Note: Service activity point values and criteria are subject to ISAC’s ongoing updates. Please check for the latest guidelines during the renewal period.
Renewal Application Preview
Before accessing the actual application on JotForm, it is highly recommended to preview the application. This will help ensure that all answers and materials are prepared before initiating the application process.
Supplementary Documents
The following documents are required for renewal:
- Applicant biosketch (template provided)
- Most recent advisory board minutes
- Examples of new or updated SOPs generated during the last renewal period
- User survey results (suggested template provided)
- Valid Community Engemen Points Document
Application Access
Applications are open March 15 – May 31.
For any questions, please contact us HERE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cost to apply?
Yes. The cost to apply to the RP is $500USD for initial application and $250USD for renewal.
How long are SRLs recognized for?
Successful applicants will have designated RP status for 3 years.
What’s required to sustain recognition?
Renewal of recognition will require the following:
- Annual progress report
- Renewal application after 3 years
- Cytometry community service demonstration
- Renewal fee
If my SRL is not awarded recognition, will I have to pay to reapply?
Yes. The application fee will remain the same for labs who are re-applying to the program.
Applications are open!
Applications will be accepted September 1, 2026 – November 15, 2026. Complete the eligibility form below to apply.
The recognition program is used to highlight to existing and future facility users that the core facility follows recommended SRL guidelines and has undergone a review process. The recognition also bolster confidence and assurance when engaging in academic & commercial project discussions. The recognition program is a valuable opportunity for Westmead Cytometry to be objectively assessed by SRL scientists with extensive experience from around the world. It provided a pathway for review and helped to identify specific areas that may be improved.
Recognition has given both our users and our institute’s leadership confidence in our ability to support the research done at our center, and the feedback provided gave us justification to show our leadership that we needed to hire additional staff based on our user base and instruments. Recognition has also given a boost to our staff morale and gives them pride and motivation to continue to be excellent in their work. Many of our users don’t necessarily appreciate what happens behind the scenes to ensure the quality of the facility – we were doing all the work and believed that we were excellent, so we wanted the external validation that the SRL RP provides.
We applied for the ISAC recognition to benchmark our lab against international standards of excellence, gain external validation, and enhance our network and collaborations. It also provided an opportunity to critically evaluate and improve our practices.
The ISAC Shared Resource Laboratory recognition highlights the high quality of research conducted by our team in biopharma, attracting valuable collaborations and funding, facilitating the recruitment of talented researchers, and motivating us to continually strive for better results and innovations.
We applied because we continually strive to learn and improve, and having experienced SRL experts within ISAC closely examine our operations and provide valuable recommendations and feedback was instrumental to our mission.
We were motivated to apply to ensure our spectral flow cytometry, spatial biology, bioinformatics, educational, and commercial activities met rigorous international standards, making this recognition a fantastic milestone alongside our ISO 9001 accreditation.
We applied for ISAC SRL recognition to align our operations with the highest international standards, ensuring that our training and services meet globally recognized quality levels in support of the research community.
Our lab pursued ISAC SRL Recognition to validate the quality, impact, and innovation of our core facility. We take pride in following best practices and sought formal acknowledgment from our peers to boost user confidence, foster collaboration, and promote scientific excellence at Moffitt.
ISAC SRL Recognition has enhanced the Moffitt Flow Cytometry Core by increasing user trust and utilization, strengthening collaboration and institutional support, enabling advanced instrumentation, expanding training opportunities, and fostering partnerships that keep the facility at the forefront of emerging technologies.
The ISAC SRL Recognition has profoundly transformed our laboratory’s operations and elevated our profile. It streamlined workflows, reinforced quality assurance, and cultivated a culture of excellence and responsibility. This recognition has strengthened trust among our users, who now see our expertise and standards as independently validated. It has also enhanced our reputation both internally and externally, driving increased engagement and demand. Most importantly, it has empowered our lab with a stronger voice with leadership by establishing an internationally recognized benchmark for excellence in Shared Resource Laboratory operations.
ISAC recognition increases the competitiveness of our researchers not only for their own grants but also leads to greater success in infrastructure grant competitions for new instrumentation. The standards set by ISAC and valuable feedback received from the SRL program reviewers continue to guide us in our quest for excellence in flow cytometry.