HECToR Direct Access
In response to the 2009 Gateway review of the HECToR project, EPSRC are piloting a new access class for the HECToR service called 'Direct Access' (Class 1b) where users can request significant amounts ( greater than 1,000,000 AUs) of computing resource only for a period of up to six months.
The Direct Access mechanism will provide successful applicants with discretionary access to the HECToR system in order to provide resource to cover activities such as:
- Bridging access between grant applications,
- Resource to trial application developments at scale,
- Provide preliminary results in aid of grant applications via Responsive Mode or to a Call for Proposals;
There is no deadline for submission, however: the proposals will be assessed by a Resource Allocation Panel (RAP) which will meet every four months (February 2010, June 2010 and October 2010), the deadline for applications being submitted to the Panel will be three weeks before the Panel meeting.
How To Apply
You should complete a Technical Assessment Form. The technical assessment form should then be submitted to the Helpdesk at support@hector.ac.uk. The completed technical assessment will normally be returned to the PI within two weeks of submission, although if the reviewer has concerns about the project, it may take extra time to address these with the PI. Applicants must submit their request for a technical assessment at least two weeks before they intend to submit their application to EPSRC.
Revised Guidance Notes are now available.
If the technical assessment endorses the proposal, the applicant is required to email a completed RAP Application Form and the completed technical assessment directly to EPSRC HectorRAP@epsrc.ac.uk. Applications should not be submitted through Je-S.
Proposals will not be subject to postal peer review; instead they will be assessed by an expert panel. There is no deadline for submission; however the Resource Allocation Panel (RAP) will meet every four months: February 2010, June 2010 and October 2010. The HECToR RAP inbox will be checked weekly and the submitted proposals will be considered by the next RAP providing the documentation submitted is complete and correct. The deadline for applications being submitted to the Panel will be three weeks before the Panel meeting.
Applicants will be notified of the decision within one week of the Panel meeting. Successful applicants should then contact support@hector.ac.uk to confirm the start date of their access. The start date must be within one month of the panel date and resources must be used within six months of the start date.
Further details of the call are available on the EPSRC Website.
