Applying for Your First NERSC Allocation

This is intended as a brief summary of the process for applying for a first NERSC allocation. There are two basic steps:

First, the new Principal Investigator should get a NIM login name and the privileges to submit an allocations request (ERCAP) form:

1. Please fill out the ERCAP Access Request form. Indicate on this form whether:

   • You do not yet have a NERSC login name. If so, fill out the first section of the form.
   • You already have a NERSC login name. If so, fill out the second section of the form.
   • You wish to designate a "proxy" (or "authorized preparer") to fill out the form for you or with you. If so fill out the third section of the form.

2. If you are new to NERSC (or if you haven't ever signed the Policy Form) please complete the Computer Use Policies form and fax it to NERSC. The fax number appears on the form. NERSC's Account Support Group will contact you with NIM logon information within two working days.

Second, fill out an ERCAP request form:

1. Once you have a NIM login name, logon to NIM at nim.nersc.gov.

2. In the upper left frame, under your name will appear a menu called "My Stuff." Select "My ERCAP Requests" from this menu.

3. In the bottom frame which appears, click on the link "Click here to create a new project request for 20XX," where 20XX is the allocation year for which you want an allocation.

4. Now the ERCAP Application form will load in the bottom frame. You need to fill out this form. There are six pages, each designated with a tab. Please click on each tab in turn and fill out each page, and click on the "Save" button at the bottom of each page.

5. If you are applying for a Startup Account, select the Allocation Type of Startup from the pull-down menu on the Resources Requested page. Decisions for Startup requests are made within one to three weeks after applying.

6. When you have finished writing your request, be sure to select "Finished" in question 20 on the Other Info / Finish page.

For more information about the ERCAP Allocations Process, see a more detailed description.

For help with accounts or passwords, contact NERSC support at 1-800-66-NERSC (USA), (510) 486-8600, menu option 2 or support@nersc.gov.

For help filling out a request, contact the NERSC Consultants at 1-800-66-NERSC (USA); (510) 486-8600 menu option 3 or consult@nersc.gov.