Before you begin

Gather the following billing information from your faculty advisor or supervisor:

1. The cost collector number to be charged.
2. Your faculty advisor or supervisor's Access ID.
3. The billing contact Access ID. This is an administrator or finance contact who should receive copies of the invoice.
4. If the cost collector is an ARL fabrication cost collector, a general ledger code must be provided.

Step 1 - Log in to LEO

Go to leo.psu.edu and sign in with your PSU Microsoft Login. Logging in for the first time creates your LEO user profile.

Step 2 - Complete the initial LEO Onboarding Requirements

After logging in, you may be directed automatically to the Requests and Requirements screen. If not, find the Open Requirements banner on your LEO Landing Page and click the yellow dialogue to see what needs to be completed.

Step 3 - Wait for Billing Account Approval and Account Entry into LEO

You will receive email notification confirming that your billing account has been approved.

Billing accounts typically appear in LEO within 24 hours after faculty approval. You cannot submit requests until your account is active.

Users of 2DCC, MCL, and Nanofab cores should proceed to Step 4. At this point, users of all other cores should contact that facility directly because each maintains its own intake processes.

Step 4 - Submit Service or Training Request

From the LEO Landing Page, click the Requests and Requirements tab in the top menu to submit a request.

Requests may be for service only, such as analytical, fabrication, or technical services; for training on a tool or technique; or a combination of these. Provide all required project details to help staff evaluate your request. A staff member may contact you to discuss your request.

Step 5 - Complete Assigned Requirements

Each tool, lab, or technique will require specific onboarding tasks such as training, documentation, or staff approval. Find them under Requests and Requirements in the top menu or the yellow Open Requirements dialogue box.

How Requirements Work

• Upon submitting a request, LEO automatically recognizes and marks any previously completed requirements.
• You are responsible for monitoring and completing all listed requirements.
• Some requirements are checked off automatically; others may require staff verification or your attestation.
• LEO notifies staff when all onboarding tasks are complete.
• For MCL training requests, requirements appear in LEO only after staff review and approval.

Submitting a request does not automatically grant facility or tool access. All assigned requirements and in-person training must be completed before access is granted.

Step 6 - Gain Access

Once all required in-person training has been completed, access to the tool and facility will be granted, and you will be notified.

Maintaining Access

EHS lab safety refresher training and building access must be renewed annually to maintain tool access.

For assistance, contact LEOHelp@psu.edu.

External users from companies, government agencies, or other academic institutions should reach out directly to the core facility that provides the services you need. Each core facility maintains its own process for external inquiries, intake, and onboarding.

Once you have been set up by the core facility, see the Payment Information for External Customers section for details on how to pay your monthly invoice.

External Customers

External customers will receive an official monthly invoice from leocores@psu.edu, typically distributed on the 25th of each month. Please do not submit payment until you have received that invoice.

Payment Methods

1. Make checks payable to The Pennsylvania State University, Research Accounting, 227 W. Beaver Avenue, Suite 401, State College, PA 16801-4819.
2. Credit Card: Send an email to res-acct@psu.edu to request a link to ConvergePay Hosted Payments. Do not send credit card information by email. All payment information is entered on the ConvergePay site by the customer.
3. ACH/Bank Transfer: Contact res-acct@psu.edu to request confidential bank transfer details. After sending the transfer, follow up with a confirmation email that includes the payment amount, payment date, and invoice number. Use the prefix "LEO" (for example, LEO 8.2025 27-573) in the ACH/wire reference so the payment can be located and applied correctly. The customer is responsible for any exchange rate, bank, or wire transfer fees.

Internal Customers

Penn State internal customers: your invoices are processed through the automated Penn State financial system integration. No manual payment action is required.

The LEO program was derived from the original NEMO program created by the National Institute of Standards and Technology's Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology.