Get your first allocation
To become a NERSC user, you must either lead or help execute a research project that supports the mission of the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science (DOE-SC).
Most allocations of NERSC computer time and archival storage are awarded by DOE-SC and managed by NERSC. There is no monetary cost for using NERSC. Awarded projects are given an allocation of computer time and a storage quota.
Resource usage is charged against the project’s allocation, like a withdrawal from a bank account. Once the account is exhausted, users can no longer charge against this account.
Paths to a NERSC award
DOE-SC’s six program offices allocate 80% of NERSC resources. Another DOE program, ASCR Leadership Computing Challenge, allocates 10%, and NERSC allocates the remaining 10% at its own discretion.
The table below summarizes all the different programs.
NERSC award programs
| Allocation type | % NERSC Compute Time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| DOE Mission Science | 80% | DOE program managers make awards to support research within the six Office of Science Program Offices and the Office of Small Business Innovative Research. Most awards are given to research teams funded by the Office of Science, but all proposals performing research of interest to the Office of Science are considered. |
| ALCC | 10% | ASCR Leadership Computing Challenge (ALCC) is operated by the Advanced Scientific Computing Research (ASCR) program office of the DOE-SC. Awards are meant to promote innovative research and use of HPC. |
| NERSC Director’s Reserve | 10% | The NERSC Director has a pool of time that the center uses at its discretion to support strategic, innovative, and challenging research. |
| Education, Exploratory | N/A | NERSC awards small allocations, up to 250 CPU Node Hours, from its Director’s Reserve to support research projects that want to explore using HPC and for educational efforts to train the next-generation workforce. |
DOE Mission Science
NERSC is the mission high performance computing facility for research conducted within the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science. All interested researchers may apply for time at NERSC, but decisions for DOE mission science awards are made by DOE Office of Science program managers, with priority given to Office of Science-funded research.
Researchers who are not funded by the Office of Science may apply, but they must demonstrate that their research is of interest to an Office of Science program.
ALCC
The ALCC has its own separate proposal and award process that is not related to ERCAP. See the ALCC website for details.
Director’s Discretionary Reserve (DDR)
The DDR is not generally open to the public. DDR allocations are usually tied to strategic initiatives and collaborations. Proposals are accepted through ERCAP, but prior arrangements with NERSC are required.
Education and Exploratory
NERSC users who are conducting classes in HPC may apply for Education awards.
Research projects that are new to NERSC and/or HPC may apply for small Exploratory awards, up to 250 Node Hours. This is a great vehicle for first-time PIs to try out NERSC resources. While NERSC makes the awards internally, we consult with DOE program managers to help assess the likelihood of receiving a Mission Science award.
Both Education and Exploratory proposals are submitted through the ERCAP process.
ERCAP applications
Proposals (except those for ALCC) are submitted online through the ERCAP (Energy Research Computing Allocations Process) process.
While DOE awards the majority of its Mission Science awards once a year, the ERCAP process is open year-round.
In particular, exploratory and educational allocation requests may be submitted at any time.
DOE allocation managers can make Mission Science awards throughout the year so long as resources remain, but applying before the yearly deadline (early October) will ensure that your proposal is fully considered.
Deadlines
The NERSC allocation year (AY) runs from mid-January to mid-January of the next year. Exact dates will vary from year to year. NERSC will communicate each year’s deadlines by email and in the “For Users” section of the website.
| Program | Submission Open | Submission Deadline | Award Decision | Allocation Period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exploratory and Education | Ongoing | November | Within 4 weeks of applying (pending DOE approval for Exploratory) | 18 months from award (but must be renewed for the next allocation year) |
| DOE Mission requests (DOE awarded) | Ongoing | November | Within 4 weeks of applying (pending DOE approval and sufficient DOE reserves of time) | Through last of of allocation year |
| Renewals for the Allocation Year* | August | October | mid-December | mid-January to mid-January the following year (full allocation year; dates will vary) |
| ALCC | refer to ALCC website | refer to ALCC website | refer to ALCC website | July 1 to June 30 |
*New projects may apply at any time, but may not receive full consideration if submitted after the ERCAP renewal submission deadline.
Get an Allocation
Before you begin
If you're not already a NERSC user, you'll need a NERSC PI Account to access the allocation request form.
Former NERSC user?
Email us at accounts@nersc.gov and we can reactivate your old account.
Ready to apply?
Get all the info you need on how to fill out NERSC's Allocation Request form.