Academic Access
UK academic researchers can usually apply for access within a grant application. Some facilities also offer different methods of access that do not require applicants to prepare full grant applications.
Many facilities have restrictions on remit for free access depending on which research council has funded the facility. For example, EPSRC and NERC remit can gain free access to ARCHER; STFC remit can gain free access to DiRAC; and EPSRC remit can also gain free access to the various national Tier-2 HPC facilities.
Currently Open Calls
Note: The calls listed below are only those that are specifically for HPC service access. Many facilities also allow access to be requested in a funding application or by paying for access. Please see the individual facility pages for more information.
| Call (link) | Closing Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ARCHER2 Pump Priming | Always Open | EPSRC Remit Only |
| Cirrus Instant Access | Always Open | |
| CSD3 Pump Priming Access | Always Open | Applications for pump-priming access can be made by email to: resources@csd3.cam.ac.u |
| DiRAC Seedcorn Access | Always Open | STFC Remit Only |
Simple Access Methods
Pump Priming, Instant Access or Seedcorn access is usually a lightweight process to get a small amount of resource to assess the suitability of a facility for the proposed research. It is also often used to gather benchmarking data to support an application for larger-scale resources.
ARCHER2 Pump Priming Academic researchers whose work falls into the EPSRC remit can apply for up to 4000 CU for 6 months. application.
Cirrus Instant Access Academic researchers whose work falls into the EPSRC remit can apply for up to 20,000 core-h for 6 months as part of a Cirrus Instant Access application.
CSD3 offers "pump-priming" access to, for example, simply test whether a programme compiles and runs, benchmark the performance of an application on the system, gather the data needed to complete the Technical Assessment required for Open Access applications for resources on CSD3, gather supporting data for applying for CSD3 resources on EPSRC grants. This will grant a relatively small allocation of resources for a limited period of time (up to six months). Applications for pump-priming access can be made by email to resources@csd3.cam.ac.uk.
Grant Access
Researchers can often ask for large amounts of resource to accompany grant applications.
ARCHER Access ARCHER has specific processes for researchers applying for access through grants from EPSRC and NERC. There is also advice for how to proceed if requesting access through other academic funding bodies.
Cirrus Access Cirrus has specific processes for researchers applying for access through grants from EPSRC. There is also advice for how to proceed if requesting access through other academic funding bodies.
Other Access Routes
Some facilities also provide different ways of accessing large amounts of resource that are not tied to applications to funding bodies.
EPSRC Access to HPC Academic researchers whose work falls into the EPSRC remit can apply for HPC resource on ARCHER2 or the National Tier-2 HPC services for up to 12 months via the EPSRC Access to HPC calls.
