Today the PRACE SME HPC Adoption Program (SHAPE) in Europe announced their Call for Applications.
The SHAPE Program aims to raise awareness and equip European SMEs with the expertise necessary to take advantage of the innovation possibilities opened up by High Performance Computing, thus increasing their competitiveness. HPC is a powerful technology that can enable the development of new products or services, reduce time-to-market and cost of R&D or increase quality. The opportunities opened up by HPC are vast and an increasing number of SMEs turn to HPC in order to create new business opportunities. The Program will help European SMEs overcome barriers to using HPC, such as cost of operation, lack of knowledge and lack of resources. It will facilitate the process of defining a workable solution based on HPC and defining an appropriate business model.
SHAPE aims to work with the selected SMEs to introduce HPC-based tools and techniques into their business, operational, or production environment. The selected solutions should bring a potential tangible Return on Investment to the SMEs business. SHAPE aims to work with the selected SMEs to introduce HPC-based tools and techniques into their business, operational, or production environment. The selected solutions should bring a potential tangible Return on Investment to the SMEs business.
Small businesses should apply to the program online. The applications are then reviewed and rated, based principally on the strength of the business case and technical feasibility of the proposed work. The successful SMEs then can receive machine time on a PRACE system, and most importantly effort from a PRACE expert to work alongside the SME in evaluating and/or developing the HPC-based solution. In return the SME provides in-kind effort, publicity of their participation in SHAPE, and a public white paper on the work achieved in the project at its conclusion.
PRACE experts will work with the selected SMEs in order to develop their solutions, providing the participating SMEs with knowledge that will allow them to make an informed decision on the selected HPC solution. Consideration will be given to independent service providers to become involved with the implementation at a later stage.
Applications are due June 1.
