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31st May 2013

High Performance Computing Wales Research and Innovation Projects: Call for Proposals

High Performance Computing Wales (HPC Wales) is a collaboration between all of the universities in Wales to deliver a state-of-the-art computing infrastructure and associated support. The infrastructure is nearing completion, and will offer around 17,000 cores making it the third most powerful system in the UK. Computational capability at this level enables the solving of problems in science and engineering that cannot be solved in any other way; this is why such a capability offers a transformational opportunity for academic researchers to develop and successfully explore new avenues of research.

Part of the remit of HPC Wales is to encourage Welsh SMEs to reap the benefits of HPC for the economic benefit of the region. To further this aim we are in a position to be able to offer part-funding for post-doctoral researchers based at a Welsh University to work on collaborative projects of up to one year duration. HPC Wales are now accepting proposals based on collaboration between a Convergence Area SME and a university where we will fund 25% of the direct cost of the staff employed on the project. The balance of the costs can be covered by any mixture of “clean” academic funds and a contribution from the SME.

The benefits to the academic include:

  • A significant financial contribution by HPC Wales towards the costs of a PDRA for up to 12 months
  • Help with finding collaborating partners which can lead to the opening of new avenues of research and contribute to the impact made by academic research
  • HPC Wales make no claim to any intellectual property developed during the project
  • HPC Wales will provide access to the HPC infrastructure, technical support, and access to the wide-ranging software catalogue that is available on the system

The process to be followed to take advantage of this opportunity is as follows:

  • Find a suitable collaborating SME who will have an interest in the outcome of your research. The HPC Wales Training and Outreach Mentors can provide assistance with this process.
  • Scope out a project that meets both your academic research needs and makes a useful contribution to the activity of your collaborating SME. The project can last up to 12 months.
  • Complete the application form with your commercial partner and submit it to HPC Wales. The closing date for applications for this call is 31st May 2013.

To find out more about this opportunity, and to request an application form and guidance notes, contact your local Training and Outreach Mentor, or get in touch with Phil Lane (p.lane@bangor.ac.uk) who is managing this call for HPC Wales.