The ARCHER2 Service is a world-class advanced computing resource for UK researchers. For such researchers, there are specific allocation mechanisms for requesting ARCHER2 time via the ARCHER2 partner research councils EPSRC and NERC as detailed below.

The ARCHER2 User Support Team are available to offer advice and assistance to any prospective users and can offer guidance as to what is the best route of access. Further contact details can be found here. The ARCHER2 CSE Team can also provide assistance with completing a Technical Assessment (TA) and can also be contacted via the Service Desk.

This page has a number of sections:

Calls for ARCHER2 time only

The following calls only provide access to ARCHER2 resources and not funding for other items (such as staff time). ARCHER2 costs are notional rather than real costs.

A list of any currently open calls through which you can apply for access to ARCHER2 time in particular (rather than applying for ARCHER2 time as part of a wider grant or fellowship application).

Call (Web Link) Closing Date TA Receipt Deadline Notes TA Form Link
Pump-priming Always open EPSRC remit only. Small amounts of time for testing and porting. Quick decision on access. Maximum of 4000 CU for 6 months. Pump Priming TA Form
Access to HPC 1600 BST, 23 April 2024 N/A EPSRC remit only
  - Projects on ARCHER2 can be up to 12 months in length.
Call page on UKRI website
No TA form required at application stage
Top up No call currently open. EPSRC remit only. Only for users with an existing ARCHER2 allocation who require additional resource. TA Form

How to prepare a successful Technical Assessment - a blog post with lots of helpful advice on how to complete TA forms. Note: Technical Assessments are not required at application time for Access to HPC calls

The Understanding Package Performance course materials provide an introduction to producing and plotting application performance, which can help you complete the ARCHER2 technical assessment form - particularly “6.1 Quantitative evidence that the code scales efficiently”.

If you have any questions about measuring application performance or scaling, or need assistance producing this information, please contact the ARCHER2 Service Desk and we will be happy to help.

ARCHER2 Driving Test

A small allocation (800 CU) for new ARCHER2 users to get them started using the ARCHER2 Service. Further details on the Training Driving Test page.

ARCHER2 Pump Priming

EPSRC remit researchers can request a small amount of resource awarded through a light-touch process in order to try, test and scale their code on ARCHER2. This is the successor scheme to ARCHER Instant Access. Applicants should complete the ARCHER2 Pump Priming TA form (docx) and send to the ARCHER2 Service Desk. The ARCHER2 CSE team will review the form and send to EPSRC for a decision on access. We expect decisions to be made in less than 2 weeks (and usually much sooner). A maximum of 4000 CU for 6 months are currently available through Pump Priming.

ARCHER2 Pioneer Projects

EPSRC remit researchers can apply for large amounts of ARCHER2 compute for ambitious, computationally intensive simulations and calculations in support of an individual project through EPSRC’s ARCHER2 Pioneer Projects call. Projects can be up to 2 years in length. This is the successor scheme to the ARCHER Leadership Calls.

Access to HPC

Provides an open and relatively flexible route to computational support for projects in EPSRC remit.

You can apply for access to national HPC systems (both ARCHER2 and most of the Tier-2 services). This new call combines what was previously the ARCHER RAP (Resource Allocation Panel) and the Tier-2 Open Access call. It is expected that these calls will open every six months.

ARCHER2 Top Up

Only available for existing EPSRC grant holders with an ARCHER allocation. Provides additional resource for users who already have an allocation from an EPSRC grant, but need more to complete the objectives of their grant. Successor to the ARCHER Top Up process.

Access via the EPSRC High End Computing Consortia

If a researcher’s work is within remit of one of the Scientific Consortia, formed around research communities with substantial and continuous computational needs, then they can apply for ARCHER2 time by joining the relevant consortium. Each consortium has its own way of applying for access and allocating time. The ARCHER2 Scientific Consortia pages have more information on the remit of the individual consortia and their contact details.

EPSRC Remit

Access through EPSRC grants and fellowships

You can include ARCHER2 on EPSRC funding applications when you are applying for funding (if you already have an active grant then you should consider applying via one of the calls for ARCHER2 time only that are described above).

When submitting proposals to EPSRC Standard Mode (Grant) that include ARCHER2 resources on the UKRI Funding Service, you should add ARCHER2 under Section 6: Facilities

EPSRC operate a 6-monthly allocation period policy for access on ARCHER2. The total amount of compute resource (measured on ARCHER2 as CU) awarded is broken down into 6-month periods that span the length of access to ARCHER2 that has been requested. Applicants specify the period profile on the TA form when they apply for access. EPSRC period allcoations are enforced on ARCHER2 in the following way:

If you have any questions about accessing ARCHER2 via EPSRC, please see the HPC pages on the EPSRC website or contact the EPSRC Research Infrastructure team.

NERC Remit

NERC applicants should add ARCHER2 as a facility in the UKRI Funding Service portal. First contact the relevant NERC science area leader and check the current NERC policy on access. Full details are on the NERC website. Applicants within the NERC remit wishing to access ARCHER2 via this route must contact the relevant consortia leader for advice ahead of submission.

UKRI calls, fellowships and responsive mode

For access as part of applications to other UKRI research councils please contact the EPSRC Research Infrastructure team in the first instance to discuss your requirements and plans.

ARCHER2 resources via EPSRC and NERC awards are included as a notional costs rather than real costs. Resources for UKRI awards in other research areas may need to be included as real costs.

Access via non-UKRI calls, fellowships and other routes

For access as part of applications from non-UKRI funded researchers please contact the EPSRC Research Infrastructure team in the first instance to discuss your requirements and plans. Please note that these discussions may take some time, and UKRI cannot guarantee that an agreement will be reached.