Funding Available to Explore the Requirements of Exascale Software for UK Science

Funding from the EPSRC for applicants to explore emerging exascale software and algorithms requirements for UK science.

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has launched a funding opportunity to enable up to five conveners to explore emerging exascale software and algorithms requirements for UK science. The funding is provided through the Exascale Computing: Algorithms and Infrastructures Benefiting UK Research (ExCALIBUR) programme, which is part of the Strategic Priorities Fund.

This opportunity will fund up to five ’emerging requirements convenors’ to deliver the aims of the emerging requirements tranche within the ExCALIBUR programme. Conveners are expected to achieve the following aims:

  • Identify and assess requirements for scientific codes at exascale in a community that will pioneer the uptake of this technology.
  • Champion the potential of exascale software and algorithms within their community.
  • Drive the importance of training and skills to prepare for faster and powerful supercomputers of the mid-20s and demonstrate the community’s needs.
  • Translate the developments of ExCALIBUR projects in a community-appropriate way to inform engagement.
  • Lead two-way knowledge exchange between ExCALIBUR projects and your chosen community, sharing the developments within the programme and the requirements for future codes.

The purpose of the opportunity is to provide support and a means for communities to prepare themselves for developments in exascale software and algorithms beyond those disciplines currently participating in the ExCALIBUR programme.

Applicants across the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) remit are invited to apply, with a specific interest in domain experts, mathematicians, computer scientists and users of software and algorithms.

Applicants may be a researcher or research software engineer equivalent at a higher education institution, research institute, or independent research organisation accredited by UKRI. They may also be employed at an eligible public sector research establishment. Full details of institutional eligibility are available here.

Individuals resident in the UK may apply if they meet at least one of the following conditions:

  • Are employed at the submitting research organisation at a level equivalent to lecturer or above.
  • Hold a fixed-term contract that extends beyond the duration of the proposed project, and the host research organisation is prepared to provide all the support normal for a permanent employee.
  • Hold an EPSRC, Royal Society or Royal Academy of Engineering fellowship aimed at later career stages.
  • Hold fellowships under other schemes (applicants should contact EPSRC to check eligibility, which is considered on a case-by-case basis).

Applicants can collaborate with researchers, businesses, nationally or internationally to support their approach for this award.

Up to £2.5 million is available for this opportunity. Applicants can apply for up to £500,000 per proposal at 80% of the full Economic Cost (fEC). Up to five conveners will be supported for up to 18 months.

Grants must start by 1 June 2023.

Applications should be submitted by the 21 February 2023 (16:00) deadline.

(This report was the subject of a ResearchConnect Newsflash.)