The Rutherford Laboratory is principally concerned with two accelerators: a 50 MeV proton linear accelerator which has been operating since 1960, and a 7 GeV proton synchroton (NIMROD) completed in the autumn of 1963. Both machines are freely available to universities for use in their own research programmes. There is a great deal of activity in development of the associated research apparatus; this is done in collaboration between the universities and the Laboratory, and is financed by the Laboratory. Through the Rutherford Laboratory the National Institute for Research in Nuclear Science enables universities to make full use of expensive research facilities which can only be provided centrally.