Image
When discussing supercomputing, the conversation usually revolves around the same questions: Is it worth adopting? What are the benefits? What are the barriers? But once an organization has already determined that High Performance Computing (HPC) is the right solution for its use case, the real challenge becomes something else entirely: understanding how to gain access to the available resources.
For many potential users, this is the most intimidating step. The access system often appears complex, fragmented, and designed only for organizations with prior HPC experience. In reality, however, the situation is quite different. Through the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking initiative, Europe’s supercomputing infrastructure is now accessible not only to academic research institutions, but also to companies, SMEs, and public administrations looking to drive innovation, improve processes, and strengthen competitiveness.
Below is a practical guide to navigating the EuroHPC ecosystem and effectively accessing Europe’s most advanced computing resources.
EuroHPC: Europe’s Supercomputing Infrastructure
Access to High Performance Computing resources in Europe is coordinated by the EuroHPC Joint Undertaking, the initiative responsible for managing some of the world’s most powerful supercomputers, including Leonardo, hosted by CINECA in Italy and ranked among the leading systems globally.
The initiative has a dual objective: strengthening Europe’s technological sovereignty while enabling innovation in strategic sectors such as industry, energy, healthcare, and climate science.
Contrary to common assumptions, access is not limited to academia. Eligible applicants include:
- Companies and SMEs, even without previous HPC experience
- Universities and research centers
- Public administrations
The key requirement is that activities are focused on research, development, and innovation. Organizations do not need to own HPC infrastructure or possess advanced in-house expertise from the outset: the system is designed to support users progressively along their HPC journey.
How Access to Supercomputing Works: Open Calls and Different Access Paths
Access to EuroHPC High Performance Computing resources is granted through open calls for proposals, which allow applicants to request computing time on European supercomputers.
These calls typically feature:
- Continuous submission windows with periodic cut-off dates
- Technical and scientific evaluation through peer review
- Different access levels depending on project maturity
This means there is no single entry point, but rather a set of tailored pathways designed to support users from initial testing through large-scale operational usage.
Main Access Modes to EuroHPC Resources
EuroHPC offers several access schemes designed for users with different levels of experience and project maturity. Specific modalities may evolve over time and are defined within the official EuroHPC calls.
1. Benchmark Access: A First Step into Supercomputing. This is the ideal entry point for new users. It allows organizations to:
- Test code scalability
- Evaluate the actual benefits of HPC for their applications
Although limited in duration (typically around three months), this phase is essential for reducing technological risk.
2. Development Access: Optimization and Scaling. Designed for organizations with a clearly identified use case, this access mode supports users who want to:
- Adapt their code to HPC architectures
- Improve performance
- Build advanced workflows
It generally includes technical support and can last up to 12 months.
3. Regular Access: Operational Usage. This is the standard production-level access mode, providing:
- Large-scale HPC resources
- Access for mature and validated projects
- Ongoing usage for production or research activities
It is intended for projects requiring substantial computational capacity.
4. Extreme Scale Access: High-Impact Projects. This scheme is dedicated to projects with exceptional scientific or industrial impact, involving:
- Pre-exascale and exascale systems
- Frontier scientific and industrial applications
It requires a high level of technical and organizational maturity.
5. Dedicated Access for AI and Data-Intensive Applications. EuroHPC also offers dedicated calls for:
- Artificial intelligence
- Machine learning
- Data-intensive applications
These opportunities are particularly relevant for:
- Innovative startups
- Data-driven companies
- Advanced applications such as digital twins, climate analytics, and complex simulations
The Application Process: How to Submit a Proposal
Accessing High Performance Computing resources involves several key steps:
1. Register on the EuroHPC Portal: The first step is creating an account on the official platform, which provides access to active calls and supporting documentation.
2. Identify the Appropriate Access Type: Choosing between Benchmark, Development, Regular, or Extreme Scale Access depends on the project’s maturity and the available technical expertise. When in doubt, starting from the entry-level access scheme is usually the most effective approach.
3. Prepare the Proposal: Applicants are required to describe their use case, provide technical details about the code and workload, and estimate the computational resources needed. This is not purely an academic exercise: what matters most is a clear business challenge combined with a technically credible solution.
4. Evaluation: Proposals undergo peer review and are assessed based on:
- Technical quality
- Potential impact
- Feasibility
5. Access to HPC Resources: Successful applicants are granted computing time on one of the EuroHPC supercomputers. From that point onward, organizations can operate on the infrastructure with the support of the broader European technical community.
The Role of EuroCC Italy: Facilitating Access to Supercomputing
For many organizations, the main challenge is not technological, but strategic and operational: understanding where to begin and how to structure a strong proposal. This is precisely where EuroCC Italy plays a key role, supporting companies and organizations through:
- Guidance in selecting the most appropriate call and access level based on project maturity
- Support in proposal preparation to improve the chances of success
- Technical assistance during development and operational phases
- Development of Proofs of Concept to validate use cases before applying
This support helps lower the barriers to entry into supercomputing while significantly increasing the likelihood of success. Accessing EuroHPC resources is not simply a technical process. For companies and organizations, it represents entry into a European innovation ecosystem built around data, simulation, and predictive capabilities. The real value lies not only in obtaining computing time, but in turning supercomputing into a strategic operational tool.
Interested in Accessing European Supercomputing Resources? EuroCC Italy provides free support to help companies and organizations access EuroHPC High Performance Computing resources.
Contact us: info@euroccitaly.it