The National Computational Merit Allocation Scheme 2021 Call for Applications (NCMAS2021) is now open.
The primary portal for applications and all associated information – including information about how to apply, eligibility, important dates, changes to the application process and frequently asked questions – is ncmas.nci.org.au. This portal has been updated from previous years and makes it easier to enter and submit all the required documents and information.
This year, NCMAS will be participating in a National Trial of Anonymising Grant Proposals from the Office of the Women in STEM Ambassador. This Trial aims to assess whether the anonymised review of allocation proposals reduces unconscious bias in STEM grant programs.
As such, applications for NCMAS2021 are required to be written in an anonymous third-person style. Guidance and examples are available in the Information for Applicants at ncmas.nci.org.au.
NCMAS is the premier allocation scheme for meritorious access to Australian national supercomputing facilities. The 2021 round will provide more than 350 million service units of computing time across four facilities: NCI Australia’s Gadi, Pawsey Supercomputing Centre’s Magnus, The University of Queensland’s FlashLite, and MASSIVE.
Important dates:
26 October – Applications Close 5:00pm AEDT
26 October - 9 November – Administrative and technical assessment
10 November – 2 December – Merit assessment
7-9 December – Allocation Committee meeting
21 December – Announcement of outcomes
Supporting Documentation
Before starting your application, we strongly recommend reading the following documents in full:
- NCMAS 2021 Information for Applicants (PDF) - General information, rules, guidelines, how to apply and frequently asked questions.
- NCMAS 2021 Application Form Outline (PDF) - Outline of the application form to help you submit you applications.
On-line Information Course
Completion of the online information course is strongly encouraged for all NCMAS applicants, new and returning.
https://learning.hpc-australia.org.au/courses/ncmas-2021-call-for-applications
This free, self-paced course provides an overview of NCMAS and its merit-based allocation process, and information about the changes in the 2021 call. It also provides information on best practices and general recommendations for all applicants.
Zoom Information Sessions
The Secretariat will run online information sessions each Tuesday afternoon that the scheme is open. Registration via: http://bit.ly/NCMAS2021ZoomTraining
Getting Assistance
You can request help with the application process by sending an email to ncmas@nci.org.au.
