High-Performance Computing (HPC) has become a priority in Europe and it is called to be a strategic resource for the economic competitiveness [1]. It is used to model complex phenomena and is applied in fields such as Life Sciences, Physics, Climate research, Security or Engineering. HPC is also able to provide a high Return on Investment for businesses [2].
(Take a look to the High-Performance-computing in Europe infographic to get the big picture)
Given its relevance, organizations like PRACE are promoting the access of companies and researchers in Europe to this technology.
What is PRACE?
PRACE (Partnership for Advanced Computing in Europe) is an international not-for-profit association with 25 member countries whose organisations created a European supercomputing infrastructure.
The mission of PRACE is to enable high-impact in scientific discovery, engineering research and development across all disciplines to enhance European competitiveness for the benefit of society.
Pharmacelera: High-Performance Computing for rational drug design
Pharmacelera is actively participating and collaborating with PRACE and it is a member of its Industrial Advisory Committee (IAC) representing the Life Sciences and the pharmaceutical industry.
This is fully aligned with the company’s expertise in software parallelization, scalability and hardware acceleration as well as our goal of being a leader in High-Performance Computing for rational drug design and influencing the European HPC agenda.
Why PRACE is important for you?
PRACE promotes the access of companies (Particularly SMEs) to HPC. PRACE systems are available to scientists and researchers from academia and industry from around the world through 2 forms of access:
- Preparatory Access is intended for short-term access to resources, for code-enabling and porting, required to prepare proposals for Project Access and to demonstrate the scalability of software.
- Project Access is intended for individual researchers and research groups including multi-national research groups and can be used for 1-year production runs, as well as for 2-year or 3-year (Multi-Year Access) production runs.
Project Access is subject to the PRACE Peer Review Process, which includes a technical and scientific review.
SHAPE is another program, which is a PRACE-based programme supporting HPC adoption by SMEs. The programme will help European SMEs overcome barriers to using HPC, such as cost of operation, lack of knowledge and lack of resources. It will facilitate the process of defining a workable solution based on HPC and defining an appropriate business model.
Don’t miss the updates
You can find further information about the current calls here.
Forthcoming calls are expected in April! Stay tuned and do not miss any of their further calls following PRACE in Linkedin and Twitter. You can also join its linkedin group or subscribe to their monthly Bulletin.
[1] How to make HPC happen in Europe
[2] HPC Drives Scientific Research And Enables Industrial Innovation