NCAR's Scientific Computing Division provides large computing resources for the community of researchers in atmospheric, oceanic, and related sciences. The "Community Computing" equipment shown in the diagram of SCD computing resources is used by university scientists and NCAR researchers to investigate questions in geophysics and solar physics. The purpose of this facility is twofold -- to provide computing support for NCAR research and to extend the computing resources for university scientists so they can pursue investigations beyond the scope of university computing centers.
Community Computing resources are also made available to a small number of projects funded by other government agencies and by the private sector.
To use SCD community computers, a researcher must obtain an allocation of General Accounting Units (GAUs). GAUs are the "common currency" by which SCD charges for use of supercomputers, storage, network access, and other essential resources.
Researchers may apply for a grant sponsored by SCD or the NSF. Small NSF grant requests, less than 900 GAUs, are allocated by the Director of SCD. Large NSF requests, greater than 900 GAUs, are decided by a peer review process twice yearly; see the Advisory Panel deadline information for details. Based on peer review, the SCD Advisory Panel recommends a specific allocation to proposals requesting more than 900 GAUs.
Allocations to NCAR scientists are made by the NCAR Allocations Committee that reports to the NCAR Director.
If you are interested in computing at NCAR, please review NCAR computers: Complete user information.
Last updated: 09/20/2004.