How to apply for access
Technical assessment
Prior to submission to the Research Councils for any access mechanism, all Principal Investigators should obtain a technical assessment of their proposal from the HECToR service provider. This is to ensure that the level of resources requested has been appropriately scoped and that any additional technical considerations have been captured prior to submission e.g. software licences.
HECToR applications
The Principal Investigator should submit a draft case for support together with the HECToR application form (HECToR website) to the HECToR service (support@hector.ac.uk) so that a technical assessment can be undertaken.
The completed technical assessment will normally be returned to the PI within two weeks of submission to the relevant help desk for each service, although if the reviewer has concerns about the project, it may take extra time to address these with the PI. To speed up the technical assessment process, the completed computing application form and draft project case for support should be sent to the service electronically.
How to apply for computer resource in support of an EPSRC research proposal (class 1a access)
After the technical assessment has been carried out by the service the full research proposal, together with the HPC application form (sections 1 and 2), should be submitted through the Je-S portal. The HPC resources form (section 1) and completed technical assessment (section 2) must be uploaded as one pdf file.
Assessment of the proposal will be via the responsive mode process, or by the assessment procedure for the call for proposals applied to.
How to apply for direct access to the national service: HECToR aesource allocation panel (class 1b on technical assessment form)
For full details, including forthcoming panels and batch cut-off dates, please refer to the HECToR resource allocation panel
The completed technical assessment should accompany the proposal form for class 1b access which can be found on our applications forms page.
There is no limit on the number of AUs that can be applied for through class 1b access. However, applicants should note that there will be up to a maximum number of AUs available to award at each panel, subject to the quality of the proposals received.
The proposal form, together with the completed technical assessment (sections 1 and 2), should be emailed to HectorRAP@epsrc.ac.uk
At each meeting, the resource allocation panel (RAP) will produce a rank ordered list of proposals in priority order for access. The assessment criteria are:
- Scientific quality of the proposal
- Technical suitability of the proposed work for HECToR
- Is the proposed work capability computing, or will it enable the PI to prepare for capability computing?
- Track record in computational science and engineering of the applicant
- Added value of access to HECToR through this mechanism
The decision of the cut off point on the rank ordered list rests with the HECToR Service Manager.
How to apply for class 2a access
Prior to submission to the Research Councils, Principal Investigators should obtain a technical assessment of their research proposal.
Applications for this class of activity will only be accepted for assessment by EPSRC if they are accompanied by a positive technical assessment from the HECToR service.
The technical assessment, together with a brief (up to two sides) case for support, should be emailed to the HECToR Helpdesk at support@hector.ac.uk.
How to apply for class 2b access
Researchers should apply for class 2b access if they wish to apply for DCSE but do not currently have access to HECToR. Applicants will be able to request a maximum of 400,000 AU in support of their proposal from the HECToR Service Manager. HECToR time will be released on confirmation of DCSE support from NAG. More information about DCSE is available on the HECToR website.
Requests should be emailed to the HECToR Helpdesk at support@hector.ac.uk.