HPC Grant Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions concerning the ORAU/ORNL High-Performance Computing Grants. As we receive feedback throughout the proposal process, we will add new questions and answers. Please send us your questions to Cathy.Fore@orau.org.

1. Who is eligible to participate?
2. How do I submit a proposal?
3. How many proposals can be submitted from a single ORAU member institution?
4. Why does the ORAU member councilor from my institution have to submit my proposal for me?
5. How do I find out who my ORAU member councilor is?
6. How long will the review process take?
7. I am not a U.S. citizen. Am I still eligible to participate in this grant program given national security issues/possible access limitations?
8. Do I have to provide a budget in my proposal?
9. Are documents such as my resume/CV or recommendation letters included in the 10-page proposal page count?
10. Are there other restrictions/limitations on how I utilize the funding should I receive an HPC grant? Can overhead charges or indirect costs be paid with this grant?

Who is eligible to participate?

Faculty-student teams from ORAU member institutions. See Team Eligibility Information for more details.

How do I submit a proposal?

Follow the content and formatting guidance provided in the Pre-proposal Guidelines and Proposal Guidelines sections. Pre-proposals should be sent to Cathy.Fore@orau.org by noon EST on Wednesday, September 30, 2009. If invited to submit a technical proposal, full proposals should be sent to Cathy.Fore@orau.org by noon EST on Monday, December 7, 2009. Pre-proposals, proposals and other documents should be saved and sent as pdfs.

How many proposals can be submitted from a single ORAU member institution?

Due to the large response last year, this year only one proposal per ORAU member institution may be submitted. In the case of multiple possible submissions and a conflict over what faculty member’s proposal should be sent from a single member institution, the ORAU member councilor for that institution will decide based on the merits of the research, alignment with ORNL’s research, and the institution’s ability to support that faculty member’s research further.

Why does the ORAU member councilor from my institution have to submit my proposal for me?

Your institution’s ORAU member councilor is most familiar with your institution’s research goals and its ability to support you as a faculty researcher and your proposed team. The member councilor is also appropriately aware of ORAU’s mission and of the goals of this grant program. Their submission of your proposal constitutes their support of it and of your institution’s support of it as well.

How do I find out who my ORAU member councilor is?

A list of ORAU member councilors, along with their e-mail contact information, is provided for your information.

How long will the review process take?

The goal is for qualified proposals to be sent to ORNL expert reviewers in early December 2009, with a final committee review taking place in mid-February 2010. Grant winners are expected to be announced in late February.

I am not a U.S. citizen. Am I still eligible to participate in this grant program given national security issues/possible access limitations?

Yes, you are eligible to submit a proposal if you meet the basic eligibility requirements, but all grant winners and their supporting researchers will be required to qualify for access to ORNL’s user facilities. Information pertaining to access and accounts can be found at ORNL’s National Center for Computational Sciences. Other access requirements may exist and will be determined by ORNL on a case-by-case basis as needed once winners have been identified.

Do I have to provide a budget in my proposal?

Budgets are not required components of the proposals.

Are documents such as my resume/CV or recommendation letters included in the 10-page proposal page count?

Documents such as these should be included as attachments and are not part of the 10-page technical proposal.

Are there other restrictions/limitations on how I utilize the funding should I receive an HPC grant? Can overhead charges or indirect costs be paid with this grant?

The program funds may only be used for directly applicable costs/expenses related to a faculty-student team performing research using ORNL computing resources, preferably onsite in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Overhead charges or other indirect costs are not to be paid with program funds.