Call for Proposals: Networking and coordination of national HPC Competence Centres

The Coordination and Support Action aims to maximise existing European HPC knowledge and expertise across Europe by facilitating the sharing of applications, best practices, knowledge and information, networking and training across NCCs. In order to accomplish these objectives, the selected consortium will liaise and align activities under the guidance of the Coordinator of the Networking and Coordination of AI Factories/ AI Factories project. The selected consortium will also establish effective cooperations with other European initiatives, in particular regarding projects focusing on European training and skills for HPC, e.g., the EuroHPC Academy and the European Master for HPC. Scope:

Scope

• The action should coordinate and support the NCCs for HPC. In particular, it is expected that the actions establish a communication platform, facilitate dialogue, promote the objectives of the initiatives and organize events and workshops on relevant topics for NCCs. The activities should leverage the synergies and complementarity strengths of the initiatives.
• It is expected that potential training solutions, successful services and tools available from the NCCs network are identified and communicated. The action should support and assist in addressing requests and/or needs of their communities, for example by service facilitation and matchmaking between the relevant European initiatives or by supporting the exchange of knowledge and best practices between NCCs.

Available Budget

• Topic Budget: EUR 2 000 000

Outcomes and Deliverables

• Project results are expected to contribute to the following expected outcomes:
  • A strengthened European HPC ecosystem by supporting an effective network of NCCs that widen and increase the adoption and use of HPC in particular by SMEs, but also by the private and public sector taking into account the specific needs of the local and national ecosystem.
  • Increased availability of training activities on HPC within the European HPC ecosystem by facilitating the access to services and training offered by the network.
  • A strong network between NCCs through effective coordination, exchange of best practices and information and activities among the network. Including structured coordination of the activities and reporting across the NCCs.
  • A centralised information access point for European HPC users by a platform that serves as a comprehensive source of the NCCs and their services and competences.
  • Enhanced visibility and integration of the NCC network with other national and European initiatives, notably the network of AIFs and AIFAs.

Eligibility Criteria

• In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must:
  • be legal entities (public or private bodies)
  • be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
    • EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs))
    • non-EU countries:
      • listed EEA countries and countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme or countries which are in ongoing negotiations for an association agreement and where the agreement enters into force before grant signature

For more information, visit EC.