Access to PRACE Prototypes

For more details, see also http://www.prace-project.eu/prototype-access

One of the PRACE project tasks is prototype testing for supporting decisions for the installation of the future HPC Petascale systems in Europe. In this context some pre-production prototypes have been installed at host centres of PRACE partners and researchers are now invited to test their codes in these systems.

Please read the criteria for PRACE prototype access and the prototype description before filling up the prototype access form (doc).

Who can apply for PRACE prototype access

Proposals from academia and industry are eligible, as long as the organisation of the project leader is homed in Europe (or a PRACE initiative country).

Depending on the system vendor, researchers from some countries cannot be granted access due to export regulations.

The general conditions for prototype access are:

 Prototypes are intended for testing and not for standard production work.

 As a general rule application support (e.g. code development, optimisation, parallelisation, etc.) during prototype testing is limited.

 Prototype access is granted after technical review by the PRACE centre hosting the prototype.

• The maximum project duration is 3 months.

• Applicants must agree that applicants’ names and affiliations, as well as a summary of the project purpose and the results achieved during prototype testing, may be made publicly available in the PRACE website and may be used in PRACE deliverables and other PRACE documents.

• Applicants must agree to summarise the results of the project in an end report to be sent to the PRACE centre hosting the prototype not later than 1 month after project conclusion.

• The project leader is responsible for signing and fulfilling the usage agreements issued by the PRACE centre hosting the prototype.

 Proposals are accessed by the PRACE Prototype Access Committee with representatives from the prototype host centre and representatives from PRACE WP5 and WP6.

 Applicants have the right to reply to the granting decisions. Application replies will be handled by the PRACE Technical Board.

Calls

Applications can be sent all year round.

In 2009 there are application deadlines on April 15, June 15 and September 15 for decisions respectively on May 1, July 1 and October 1.