Petascale Computing Resource Allocations

Petascale Computing Resource Allocations from the National Science Foundation allow research teams to work closely with the Blue Waters project team in preparing their codes. Applications for these allocations are due once a year, throughout the life of the Blue Waters project.

The Petascale Computing Resource Allocations solicitation from NSF explains that: "a research group will only be granted significant access to [Blue Waters] after its request for a resource allocation has been successful in a competitive, merit review managed by NSF. The Petascale Computing Resource Allocations solicitation represents the first phase of that merit review process. Successful proposers to this solicitation will be granted a pre-allocation of Blue Waters resources together with a small amount of funds to support travel costs...In the months prior to Blue Waters entering production, groups receiving awards under the current Petascale Computing Resource Allocations competition will be asked to submit a request for a final allocation [to NSF]. Reviewers of the final allocation requests will be asked to review progress and readiness."

In order to receive an award of time on Blue Waters through the National Science Foundation allocation process, teams must receive a pre-allocation through the current Petascale Computing Resource Allocations process. Researchers must participate in the PRAC application and allocation process even if they do not need travel support or other code-development funding.

The list of current PRAC teams.