High performance computing (HPC)
We provide high performance computing facilities to environmental scientists. This service is managed in a similar manner to our other services and facilities.
A steering committee prioritises and schedules available computing capacity in response to project-level applications, including small NERC consortium grant bids. It does not assess the science quality of projects/programmes that have already been peer-reviewed by NERC. The committee produced a Management Plan in 2007 that is reviewed annually.
NERC provides access to the HECToR service, funded jointly by NERC, EPSRC, and BBSRC. EPSRC are managing agents for HECToR. NERC and the Met Office are providing a joint facility, MONSooN, launched December 2009.
Applying for access to HPC facilities
Research programmes and grant applications that require access to HPC are expected to justify the anticipated resource request in their applications. Requests for large amounts of resource should be discussed with the HPC manager prior to application. There is a set application procedure.
There is provision for direct access applications. These are competitively assessed with other bids. To reduce risk of disappointment, potential HPC users not directly funded by NERC, particularly those applying for European Union funds, should secure the recurrent costs of their HPC needs from non-NERC sources.
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