Application, Review, and Allocation Procedures
**********************************************

The first step in taking advantage of NCSA's high-performance computing 
resources is gaining access to its machines. Following are the allocation 
policies and procedures.

APPLICATIONS
============

The same application form is used for the SGI Power Challenge, Convex Exemplar
(or Convex C3880), or the Connection Machine Model 5 (CM-5). Requests for time
on any/all systems may be included in the same proposal. Requests for time are 
based upon service units (SU). Please refer to the definition of service unit 
on each system in the HPC Environment document in the Technical Summaries for 
that system. 

Technical summaries for the following systems:

 o SGI Power Challenge Array
 o SGI Challenge
 o Connection Machine CM-5
 o CONVEX Exemplar
 o CONVEX C3880

 are available on NCSA's WWW server at the URL
 http://www.ncsa.uiuc.edu/General/Consulting/TechSummary

If the system you request is fully allocated, or if the Peer Review Board 
determines that your application may be more appropriate on another 
architecture, NCSA may ask that you move your request to another system if
memory and software availability permit. 

PROCESS AND POLICIES
====================

 o Supercomputer grants are allocated for a one-year period, and are in 
    effect for one year. 
 o Allocations are subject to the availability of the system requested. 
 o A signon is mailed to the principal investigator for his/her use; if other
   researchers are working on the project, the principal investigator should
   request signons for them. 
 o The principal investigator may request an extension prior to the expiration
   date if 75% or more of the account has been used or a renewal proposal is in
   progress. 
 o If a researcher simultaneously submits multiple proposals within the same 
   area of science, they will be returned with a request that they be 
   combined into one proposal. 
 o Major researchers who are involved in multiple projects should consolidate
   their project requests into a single proposal. 

REVIEW CRITERIA
===============

 o Intrinsic merit of the research 
 o Relevance of the research 
 o Effect of the research on the infrastructure of science and engineering 
 o Suitability and need for architecture 
 o Comparison of performance 
 o Past experience with the machine(s) for which you apply 
 o Machine-specific aspects 

ALLOCATION PROCESS
==================

Metacenter Allocation Committee
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

The NSF Metacenter comprises the four NSF funded supercomputer centers (Cornell
Theory Center (CTC), National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA),
Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center (PSC), and San Diego Supercomputing Center
(SDSC)). Large computational resources, on multiple platforms across multiple
centers, are allocated through the Metacenter Allocation Committee (MAC).
Proposals are reviewed by a joint panel drawn from the review boards at the 
four NSF centers. The MAC provides allocations across all NSF supercomputing 
centers, and meets annually. 

The 1996 MAC is being coordinated by NCSA and information on submitting
proposals for 1996 will be made available soon. The deadline for submitting
proposals to the MAC is expected to be January 5, 1996. 

Peer Review Board
+++++++++++++++++

The joint NCSA-Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center Peer Review Board (PRB) is
composed of nationally renowned scientists. It meets quarterly in March, June,
September, and December. Researchers must apply by the first of the month 
prior to the meeting (February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1) to 
allow time for the review process. 

Small Allocation Committee 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

NCSA staff scientists make up the Small Allocation Committee (SAC). The
committee meets in January, February, April, May, July, August, October, and
November. Applications must be received by the first of the month prior to the
meeting (December1, January 1, March 1, April 1, June 1, July 1,September 1, and
October1) to allow time for the review process. 

Education/Course Grants
+++++++++++++++++++++++

Faculty members who wish to use high-performance computers in their classes may
apply for time on NCSA systems; the standard allocation is 5-10 service units 
per course. Requests for using supercomputers for course work should be 
communicated to NCSA by the instructors at least a couple of months prior to 
the beginning of the course. 


NCSA Allocations, allocations@ncsa.uiuc.edu 
6/95
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