  Unknown neutron-capture reaction rates remain a significant source of
uncertainty in state-of-the-art $r$-process nucleosynthesis reaction network
calculations. As the $r$-process involves highly neutron-rich nuclei for which
direct ($n,\gamma$) cross-section measurements are virtually impossible,
indirect methods are called for to constrain ($n,\gamma$) cross sections used
as input for the $r$-process nuclear network. Here we discuss the newly
developed beta-Oslo method, which is capable of providing experimental input
for calculating ($n,\gamma$) rates of neutron-rich nuclei. The beta-Oslo method
represents a first step towards constraining neutron-capture rates of
importance to the $r$-process.
