NASA High-End Computing: Science Mission Directorate Process Overview

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SCIENCE MISSION DIRECTORATE PROCESS OVERVIEW

You can request computing allocations of NASA High-End Computing (HEC) resources if you are currently funded by the Science Mission Directorate (SMD).

You may also submit a request for HEC resources as part of the proposal process when seeking SMD funding.

The HEC Program has resources in two locations: the NASA Advanced Supercomputing (NAS) facility, and the NASA Center for Climate Simulation (NCCS). Information on all available HEC resources, including computing systems, storage, and support services, can be found on Systems & Services At A Glance.

Please refer to the guidance below for how and when to submit requests. Please direct questions to support@hec.nasa.gov.

SUBMIT A NEW REQUEST FOR HEC RESOURCES

Overview

SMD is moving towards capturing computing requirements when projects are first considered for funding to improve resource management and planning. Select the relevant funding mechanism listed below for guidance on requesting HEC resources.

ROSES and Other Competed Funding Sources

If you are responding to a Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) or other NASA solicitation and your project requires HEC resources, you must submit a request in the HEC Request Management System (RMS). Note: This process does not guarantee a HEC allocation for your project.

Submit your request in HEC RMS

Section I: Estimate your start date and project duration. Note: This information may change upon selection.
Section II: Select Funding Type corresponding to your proposal.
Follow the instructions for Sections III–VI.
Submit your request.
Make a PDF of your request (see instructions within RMS).

Submit the PDF of your request with your project proposal

ROSES proposers

Check the “Yes” box on the ROSES cover sheet indicating that a request to use HEC resources is included.
Enter the Confirmation Number found on the RMS-generated PDF.
Upload the PDF to NSPIRES / Grants.gov with your project proposal

Other solicitation proposers: Attach the RMS-generated PDF to your proposal as instructed in the solicitation.

SMD makes allocation decisions quarterly, with allocations announced by January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1, depending in which cycle your request was submitted. Decisions will be based on your project's overall set of requirements, previous usage (if applicable), available capacity, and SMD science priorities. As such, please be advised that your HEC allocation may differ from your request.

NOTE: Your HEC allocation will indicate that first-year allocations expire on September 30 regardless of your project’s start date. This will allow subsequent yearly allocations to remain in sync with the annual cycle for all SMD projects (October 1 through September 30).

Refer to the HEC RMS Quick-Start Guide for more guidance.

Section I(d) of the relevant ROSES Summary of Solicitation also has more details:

Please direct questions to support@hec.nasa.gov

NASA Headquarters/Center-Directed Funding Sources

If you are seeking NASA Headquarters- or Center-directed funding and your project requires use of HEC resources, you must submit a request in the HEC Request Management System (RMS) per the process below. Note: This process does not guarantee a HEC allocation for your project.

Submit your request in HEC RMS

Section I: Estimate your start date and project duration matching your funding.
Section II: Select the appropriate Funding Type/
Follow the instructions for Sections III–VI.
Submit your request.
Make a PDF of your request (see instructions within RMS) for your records.

NOTE: Your HEC allocate will indicate that first-year allocations expire on September 30 regardless of your project’s start date. This will allow subsequent yearly allocations to remain in sync with the annual cycle for all SMD projects (October 1 through September 30).

Refer to the HEC RMS Quick-Start Guide for more guidance.

Please direct questions to support@hec.nasa.gov

MODIFY AN ACTIVE ALLOCATION OF HEC RESOURCES

Overview

SMD has shifted from annual to multi-year requests for HEC resources covering your project's full period of performance, enabling one-time submission of requests. If there are no changes to your project’s computing requirements, your future year requests will be automatically considered and allocations issued prior to the start of each year of your project. On the other hand, SMD also provides opportunities to submit modification requests (increase or decrease of HEC resources) as your requirements may change over the HEC allocation period.

Modification Requests

In addition to new computing requests, SMD considers modification requests quarterly and announces decisions by January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1.

If you have an SMD-funded project and you need to modify your current or future-year HEC allocations, you must submit a modification request in the HEC Request Management System (RMS). In the Requests menu, select Modify Request.

While modifications are not guaranteed, SMD will make every attempt to satisfy your request. Decisions will be based on previous usage, available capacity, and SMD science priorities. As such, please be advised that if modifications are issued to your HEC allocation, they may differ from your request.

Refer to the HEC RMS Quick-Start Guide for more guidance.

Please direct questions to support@hec.nasa.gov