HPC in Europe Portal: What, When and How?
In the ever-evolving world of High-Performance Computing (HPC), finding the right resources can often feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. Scattered websites, and siloed knowledge have always stood as barriers to collaboration.
Excitingly, with the launch of the updated HPC in Europe Portal, stakeholders across Europe now have a single, streamlined entry point to everything HPC-related, from training materials to events, success stories, videos, podcasts and what not.
Background:
Since 2010, Partnership for Advanced Computing in Europe (PRACE) engaged in HPC activities, including access to HPC systems, user support, training, policy, technology, operations and dissemination. It was through these initiatives that the thought of a ‘European HPC Portal’ took root. A first concept of the Portal was discussed in 2018, and in 2020 the initial HPC in Europe Portal, a platform for European trainings, was launched. This platform would later evolve into the central access point for all things related to HPC.
In September 2020, the project EuroCC was launched with the aim of establishing a European network of National Competence Centres (NCCs) for High-Performance Computing, that would coordinate HPC expertise and serve as a central contact point for stakeholders from industry, science, and the general public. To support the NCCs in their venture to make HPC expertise available to different stakeholders and maximise their activities’ impact, the project’s complementary Coordination and Support Action (CASTIEL) created the website EUROCC-ACCESS (eurocc-access.eu), which acted as a platform for information and knowledge exchange, as well as for showcasing the NCCs’ competences and services.
While the NCCs became pivotal hubs for HPC and related technologies, serving as the primary points of contact within their respective countries, the Centres of Excellence (CoEs) for HPC were established as specialised projects dedicated to adopt applications across key scientific and industrial domains in Europe. For the CoEs, the website hpccoe.eu was implemented by their former Coordination and Support Action (FocusCoE), with a similar purpose as EUROCC-ACCESS, to promote the CoEs’ activities and provide a platform for information and knowledge exchange.
In phase two of EuroCC (EuroCC 2) and CASTIEL (CASTIEL 2), which started in January 2023, the existing training platform, previously maintained by PRACE, was upgraded to also encompass and consolidate the EUROC-ACCESS and hpccoe Portals, combing all of these platforms together into today’s updated HPC in Europe Portal. Based on PRACE’s training platform, HPC SPECTRA developed an advanced European High-performance Computing (EuroHPC) Training Platform via Indico. Through this training platform, HPC SPECTRA supports Europe’s scientific and industrial communities to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to use the full potential of Europe’s HPC offers. In addition, the new updated HPC in Europe Portal now offers features such as a technical competence map, information about HPC services, and a wide range of documentation to users, to fully leverage Europe’s growing HPC ecosystem. Furthermore, this Portal has also connected the HPC Service Hub that is focused on industrial offerings of NCCs, and CoEs.
The HPC in Europe Portal is currently open to NCCs, CoEs and other projects. The Portal’s current main focus is the promotion of NCCs and CoEs within the CASTIEL 2 framework, with the intention of expanding to include other key European initiatives.
More about the process - everything that happened
After speaking with several people behind the Portal, we gained valuable insight into how the site came together and what its future direction will be.
Q1. What is the origin of the HPC in Europe Portal?
The HPC in Europe Portal is an integrated solution of three previously existing portals: the EuroCC Access Portal (www.eurocc-access.eu) and the HPC CoE Portal (www.hpccoe.eu), with the initial version of https://hpc-portal.eu/.
A first step in the direction of a central information portal was made by PRACE with the implementation of the initial HPC in Europe Portal, which served as central platform for European training providers.
Harmonising the efforts of PRACE, FocusCoE, EuroCC and CASTIEL, the updated HPC in Europe Portal builds on the already existing user groups and brings together the previously scattered information in one central platform. In parallel, based on PRACE’s training platform, HPC SPECTRA developed an advanced European High-Performance Computing (EuroHPC) Training Platform via Indico, which has also been integrated into the HPC in Europe Portal.
Keeping collaboration as it’s key, the HPC in Europe Portal isn't just a website, it is a movement. It is a place for all things related to HPC in Europe.
Q2. How and why is the HPC in Europe Portal created?
The updated HPC in Europe Portal was developed under the CASTIEL 2 project and in close collaboration with the HPC SPECTRA initiative. This Portal combines Europe’s scattered HPC resources into a community-focused platform.
Until now, there are 33 National Competence Centre (NCCs) and 14 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in Europe who are among key contributors offering trainings, information and skill-enhancement programmes for better use of HPC in Europe. While each NCC and CoE maintains their own platform, customized to their national context, the HPC in Europe Portal brings key information from across Europe into a single place showing a unified view. It makes it easier for users to explore HPC opportunities, trainings, and services at a European level.
The HPC in Europe Portal aims to centralise information of NCCs, CoEs and HPC-related projects in a single platform. It provides access to a wide range of resources, including podcasts, videos, events, documents and training courses. Regardless of whether you are an experienced HPC user or a newcomer, the Portal offers content for all levels.
Q3. What types of HPC resources and content are available on the HPC in Europe Portal?
The currently available content types on the Portal are –
Events, Success stories, Use cases, Trainings, Training materials, News - In the spotlight, Blogs, Documents, Codes, Competences, Podcasts, Videos
Q4. Who constitutes the target audience of the HPC in Europe Portal?
The HPC in Europe Portal has been designed to serve a broad and diverse audience, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs), industry professionals, public authorities, stakeholders from public administration, researchers, policy makers or funding bodies. Whether you are developing cutting-edge simulations or exploring how HPC can transform your business, this is your starting point.
If you are interested in any specific National Competence Centre or Centre of Excellence, we welcome you to explore their individual expertise on their profiles, where website links and contact details are provided. For further information or questions, you may also contact the HPC in Europe Portal directly via email at info[at]hpc-portal.eu.
Q5. What are the benefits of engaging on the Portal?
The benefits of collaboration are vast, yet there are a few that struck out –
a. One central access point for all users. Centres can expand their national user base and leverage the full network of users across Europe.
b. Increased visibility, accessibility, and interaction across Europe’s HPC community and beyond.
c. Through the Portal, members and organisations can connect with one another. The platform promotes collaboration among organisations and stakeholders from different fields.
d. Simplified information discovery by combining scattered digital resources into one user-friendly platform.
Q6. Who can contribute content to the HPC in Europe Portal and how?
The HPC in Europe Portal is a website for all by all, which builds on and promotes collaboration. Every member organisation, such as every NCC or CoE adds their own content to the website. The members of every NCC and CoE (and further Projects in the future) have specific access to the website, which allows them to add content whenever necessary. The added content will be reviewed for quality and layout, then published on the platform as soon as possible.
Q7. What changes can be anticipated on the HPC in Europe Portal in the future?
More EU-funded HPC projects will be onboarded to expand this collaborative platform. The Portal is a growing website. Upgrades of the content management system, additional user-centred content types and landing pages, and more is expected in the future.
In early 2026, the EuroHPC Virtual Training Academy (EVITA) will take over the training section currently curated by HPC SPECTRA.
Q8. How can you contact the HPC in Europe Portal Team and stay informed about updates?
You can write the HPC in Europe Portal management at info[at]hpc-portal.eu and ask any questions related to the HPC in Europe Portal.
For training/short-courses related queries, please write to hpc-portal-training-inquiry[at]lists.projects.hlrs.de.
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