The deadline for applying for national e-infrastructure resources for the next allocation period is 1 February 2024.
Sigma2 provides e-infrastructure resources to meet the needs of researchers from all areas of science. The resources are made available through application procedures to support the best Norwegian research.
Applications are evaluated by our Resource Allocation Committee (RFK), according to the Guidelines for Resource Allocation on the national e-infrastructure.
It is very important to apply to regular calls. This is due to the RFK assigning allocations to projects a few weeks before the start of each allocation period.
The allocation result is announced to the project administrators by e-mail one week before the new period starts. Please check your allocation result and notify us without delay if there are any issues.
Applications submitted after the deadline will be processed once the period has started, in the order they were submitted.
Categories
Computing and storage applications
This category provides access to computing and NIRD storage facilities, as well as software, with a far greater capacity than usually is available at department and faculty levels.The work to be carried out must meet requirements for scientific quality. All applications will be evaluated and eventually granted by the RFK based on scientific merit.
- It is the responsibility of the applicants to provide all the information required to evaluate the applications.
- Computing and storage applications must include funding sources and report scientific results, including records of publications connected with the performed activities, for any previously granted allocations.
- Application for storage must include a valid Data Management Plan. See the section “Mandatory Requirements” below.
If the application qualifies, and there is not enough space for a LUMI allocation in the national quota, projects might be allocated to Betzy (LUMI-C applications only), or support will be provided to apply for the EuroHPC EU partition.
Services for sensitive data applications
This category offers a platform to store, compute and analyse sensitive research data in compliance with Norwegian regulations regarding individuals’ privacy.
Research projects may apply for TSD through this call if the project needs HPC resources or/and capacity storage for sensitive research data.
Services for Data Analytics
The NIRD Service Platform is a Kubernetes-based data analytics platform allowing pre/post-processing, visualization, and AI/ML workflows. Researchers having a data storage project might apply for access to the resources on the NIRD Service Platform.
Applications can be submitted at any time during the year by sending an e-mail to contact@sigma2.no.
Services for Advanced User Support, SSEW and CRaaS
Some resources can be applied throughout the year. These are evaluated by the Sigma2 administration.
Resources for testing are available outside calls. Similarly, applications for Advanced User Support (AUS), the Course Resources as a Service (CRaaS) and Small-scale Exploratory Work (SSEW) are accepted continuously. Apply by sending an e-mail to contact@sigma2.no.
How to apply?
Please apply by using our resource administration system, which is an online application tool service for researchers using the national e-infrastructure resources.
Mandatory requirements
Funding sources
A mandatory requirement in the application scheme is to provide funding sources. This information is essential to justify the continuing operation and development of the national e-infrastructure.
Report on scientific results
It is also a mandatory requirement that project leaders report the scientific results of previous allocations by linking the allocation project ID to their scientific publications in Cristin.
Please note that it is necessary to link project numbers for both HPC and NIRD storage to the publications.
Data Management Plan
Storage applications must be complemented with a data management plan, either created with easyDMP - NIRD Data Planning or with any other approved tool.
Costs for using the e-infrastructure
HPC, NIRD storage services and Services for Sensitive Data are subject to a User Contribution Model. The cost of the resources depends on the funding supporting the research project.
The model can be found here: User contribution model