Petascale Computing Resource Allocations | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the NSF "Petascale Computing Resource Allocations" opportunity (NSF Publication 08-529)?

This NSF grant opportunity supports research teams that need access to extremely large-scale computing power (petascale-level performance) to pursue ambitious science and engineering goals. It is focused on providing allocations of computing time and related resources on the NSF-funded Blue Waters petascale computing system.

What is the primary computing resource supported by this solicitation?

The core focus is the Blue Waters petascale computing system, an NSF-funded supercomputing resource scheduled to come online in 2012 at the University of Illinois.

What does NSF mean by "petascale" in the context of this program?

In this solicitation, petascale refers to extremely large-scale computing performance intended to enable research that is not feasible on smaller computing systems, such as work involving much larger datasets, more detailed simulations, more complex models, or more comprehensive parameter sweeps.

What types of projects are a good fit for this program?

Projects are a good fit when access to petascale resources is a central enabling factor for the science or engineering outcome. The program is intended for research problems that genuinely require the scale and architecture of Blue Waters, not projects that would simply benefit from more computing as a nice-to-have upgrade.

What can applicants request through this opportunity?

The solicitation invites research groups to request allocations of computing time and related resources on Blue Waters.

What must a proposal demonstrate about the need for Blue Waters?

Proposals must make a clear case that the research problem genuinely requires petascale computing and that Blue Waters is necessary to achieve the project objectives. Applicants are expected to show that the scale and architecture of Blue Waters are required, not just helpful.

What must a proposal demonstrate about the team's ability to use petascale computing?

Applicants are expected to demonstrate they can use petascale capability effectively, including an appropriate technical approach, software readiness, and the expertise needed to take advantage of the Blue Waters system.

Why does the solicitation emphasize software readiness and expertise?

The intent is to fund projects where petascale access is truly enabling. That means NSF expects the team to have a credible plan and the capabilities needed to exploit Blue Waters at scale, rather than needing the system primarily for exploratory or incremental computing improvements.

Does this opportunity support specific science and engineering fields, or is it broad?

It is broad across many scientific and engineering fields, as long as the work requires petascale-level performance to carry out larger, more detailed, or more complex computational investigations.

Is there an emphasis on community-building or workforce development?

Yes. A notable emphasis is community-building around advanced computing, with NSF explicitly encouraging proposals that come from, or meaningfully include, junior researchers. This reflects a broader goal of developing a pipeline of investigators capable of designing and executing research that uses petascale resources effectively.

Are junior researchers required to be included?

The solicitation explicitly encourages proposals that come from, or meaningfully include, junior researchers, but the information provided describes this as an emphasis and encouragement rather than a stated requirement.

Which NSF office administers this program?

This is a discretionary grant program under NSF's Office of Cyberinfrastructure.

How is the program categorized?

The opportunity is categorized under science and technology and other research and development.

How many awards does NSF expect to make?

The opportunity lists an expected number of about 12 awards.

What is the estimated total funding level for the program?

The estimated total funding level is $500,000.

Is there a minimum award amount?

Yes. The opportunity lists an award floor of $40,000.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

Yes. Cost sharing or matching is required, meaning applicants should be prepared to document and commit non-NSF contributions consistent with the solicitation's rules.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any additional eligibility conditions that may be clarified in the full solicitation text.

What are the key dates and deadlines mentioned for this solicitation?

The solicitation was originally posted December 31, 2007, with an original closing date of March 31, 2008. It notes additional annual deadlines (including March 17, 2009 and annually thereafter in earlier cycles). The currently listed closing date in the provided data is June 30, 2011, with full proposal deadlines on June 30, 2011 and June 30 annually thereafter.

Has this opportunity been offered over multiple cycles?

Yes. The timeline described indicates it has been run over multiple cycles, with an original closing date in 2008 and subsequent annual deadlines in later years.

Where can applicants find the authoritative program instructions and requirements?

Applicants are expected to consult the full NSF announcement, referenced as NSF Publication 08-529 via the "Additional Information Link," for the most authoritative and detailed instructions (including allocation request formats, review criteria, allowable costs, reporting expectations, and what constitutes an effective plan to exploit Blue Waters at petascale scale).

What kinds of details are likely covered in the full solicitation but not fully spelled out in the summary?

The summary points applicants to the full announcement for details such as allocation request formats, review criteria, allowable costs, reporting expectations, and the specific definition of an effective plan to exploit Blue Waters at petascale scale.

Who should applicants contact for Grants.gov access issues related to this announcement?

For access issues related to the announcement through Grants.gov, the contact provided is grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.

What is the main goal of NSF in offering allocations on a system like Blue Waters?

NSF aims to enable projects that are not feasible with smaller computing systems, allowing researchers to tackle larger datasets, higher-fidelity simulations, more complex models, and broader parameter sweeps, while also strengthening the national capacity to use top-tier cyberinfrastructure for discovery and innovation.