Researcher
Start with ACCESS Explore for eligible US research, AIRR Gateway for UK AI testing, or EuroHPC AI for Science for eligible European research. Check each route's organisation and country rules.
Democratising compute
Free and funded compute
Find a practical route to compute through research allocations, startup credits or free notebooks. Start with your situation, then check eligibility and the official next step.
Student or individual
Try interactive code in Colab's free notebooks. Eligible US graduate students can also lead an ACCESS Explore project; undergraduates need an eligible lead.
Startup
Compare UK AIRR, European AI Factories and cloud-credit programmes. Region, company stage, workload and billing conditions determine which fits.
Upcoming application window
Upcoming window: GCS next large-scale application window Checked 13 November 2026.
Researchers at German universities and publicly funded German research institutions. Prepare for the official window from 11 January to 15 February 2027, closing at 17:00 CET; the allocation period is May 2027 to April 2028.
This forthcoming large-scale window is separate from rolling regular or preparation routes. Awards depend on scientific and technical review. Official source and next step
Upcoming window: ACCESS Maximize: next request window Checked 13 November 2026.
Researchers preparing a large resource request. Prepare for the 15 December 2026 to 31 January 2027 submission window; awards are scheduled to start on 1 April 2027.
The 13 November check predates this window. Smaller ACCESS project types have separate application routes. Official source and next step
Compare the programme directory
52 programme records, with open routes first, unverified records clearly marked, and closed calls below. Status checks are separate from older programme detail dates. Open status needs another check after 30 days; a forthcoming window is not automatically declared open when its start date arrives.
Credits and allocations are not cash or guaranteed hardware. Some routes require billing accounts or a paid plan; some allocations charge for resources. Check covered services, expiry, charges and eligibility before committing.
Need help choosing? Use the funded-access chooser, finance and access guide or services and support.
Region is the programme's recorded region, not a decision about your eligibility. Audience filters cover the source-checked starting routes, not every possible eligible programme. Clear that filter to explore the full directory. Read each programme's eligibility and current terms.
Showing 7 of 52 programmes.
Compare recorded eligibility and resources below. Open a programme record for its full evidence, application steps and limits, then confirm current conditions with the official programme.
Open at latest check
Application status is dated below. Open applications do not guarantee an award, your eligibility or available hardware.
Public supercomputing
| Programme and recorded region | Who can apply | Recorded resources | Evidence and next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSF ACCESS allocations US Open at latest check | Project leads are generally US-based researchers or educators at graduate-student level or higher, with an eligible organisational affiliation and a matching organisational email. Graduate students can lead Explore or Discover projects with a signed adviser letter, or an NSF GRFP letter where applicable. K-12 educators may lead instructional allocations. Other applicant, collaborator and research-security restrictions can apply. | Free allocations of credits that can be exchanged for time on NSF-funded compute, storage and cloud resources and science gateways. | Read eligibility, application steps and limits Check the official programme ACCESS Explore: Prepare a project summary and CV. Graduate students need an adviser letter or an eligible NSF GRFP letter. Apply for Explore, then exchange awarded credits for resource time. Source Status checked 13 November 2026: open at latest check. ACCESS Maximize: next request window: Prepare for the 15 December 2026 to 31 January 2027 submission window; awards are scheduled to start on 1 April 2027. Source Status checked 13 November 2026: upcoming window. Programme details checked 11 October 2026. The application-status and programme-detail checks have separate dates. |
| Jetstream2 research cloud US Open at latest check | Applicants eligible under the chosen ACCESS allocation route, including graduate students doing thesis or dissertation work through Explore ACCESS. | Research-cloud resources within an approved allocation and applicable resource limits. | Read eligibility, application steps and limits Check the official programme Jetstream2 through ACCESS: Obtain an appropriate ACCESS allocation, exchange credits for a Jetstream2 resource, then add the required project users. Source Status checked 13 November 2026: open at latest check. Programme details checked 13 November 2026. The application-status and programme-detail checks have separate dates. |
| NERSC allocations and AY2027 call (ERCAP) US Open at latest check | Projects supporting the relevant DOE science programme or HPC education; exploratory and other project classes have separate conditions. | Reviewed NERSC resource allocations, subject to project approval and available resources. | Read eligibility, application steps and limits Check the official programme NERSC ERCAP initial requests: Initial requests may be submitted at any time. New PIs need an ERCAP access account before preparing and submitting the allocation-year form. Source Status checked 13 November 2026: open at latest check. Programme details checked 12 October 2026. The application-status and programme-detail checks have separate dates. |
Full recorded evidence and application steps for public supercomputing
NSF ACCESS allocations
Read the programme evidence and access steps
Who can apply: Project leads are generally US-based researchers or educators at graduate-student level or higher, with an eligible organisational affiliation and a matching organisational email. Graduate students can lead Explore or Discover projects with a signed adviser letter, or an NSF GRFP letter where applicable. K-12 educators may lead instructional allocations. Other applicant, collaborator and research-security restrictions can apply.
What you get: Free allocations of credits that can be exchanged for time on NSF-funded compute, storage and cloud resources and science gateways.
How to apply: Create an ACCESS ID, complete your profile, choose a project type and submit the required project information. If the project is awarded credits, exchange them for units on a suitable resource; an award alone does not activate a compute resource.
Open at latest check: ACCESS Explore Checked 13 November 2026.
US-based researchers and eligible graduate students starting an open research project. Prepare a project summary and CV. Graduate students need an adviser letter or an eligible NSF GRFP letter. Apply for Explore, then exchange awarded credits for resource time.
An institutional affiliation and matching email are required. Undergraduates need an eligible project lead. A credit award does not activate a compute resource. Official source and next step
Upcoming window: ACCESS Maximize: next request window Checked 13 November 2026.
Researchers preparing a large resource request. Prepare for the 15 December 2026 to 31 January 2027 submission window; awards are scheduled to start on 1 April 2027.
The 13 November check predates this window. Smaller ACCESS project types have separate application routes. Official source and next step
Deadline Explore, Discover and Accelerate: requests accepted at any time. Maximize: 15 December 2026 to 31 January 2027 for awards starting 1 April 2027. Check the official pages before planning.
- Explore, Discover, Accelerate and Maximize serve increasing resource needs and use different submission and review requirements; ACCESS advises starting with Explore when resource needs are not yet clear. Source
- Explore requests usually receive an outcome by the next business day, but an awarded project initially has no active resources until credits are exchanged for resource units. Source
- ACCESS accepts eligible scholarly work from any field; no funding or merit-reviewed award is required. Proprietary or confidential work is not supported by the free allocation process. Source
- A resource exchange remains subject to availability, Resource Provider concurrence and any resource-specific eligibility or recommended-use conditions. Source
- The checked guidance lists the next Maximize request window as 15 December 2026 to 31 January 2027, with awards starting 1 April 2027. Source
Checked 11 October 2026. Terms change, so read the programme page before you apply.
Check current status and next steps
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Jetstream2 research cloud
Read the programme evidence and access steps
Who can apply: Applicants eligible under the chosen ACCESS allocation route, including graduate students doing thesis or dissertation work through Explore ACCESS.
What you get: Research-cloud resources within an approved allocation and applicable resource limits.
How to apply: Get an appropriate ACCESS allocation, exchange credits for Jetstream2 resources, then add project users.
Open at latest check: Jetstream2 through ACCESS Checked 13 November 2026.
Eligible ACCESS researchers and graduate students needing a research cloud. Obtain an appropriate ACCESS allocation, exchange credits for a Jetstream2 resource, then add the required project users.
An ACCESS account alone is not an allocation. Resource-specific quotas and availability still apply; this is not an unconditional GPU entitlement. Official source and next step
No future deadline recorded
- The operator's allocation guide distinguishes an ACCESS account from a valid allocation and explains exchanging credits for Jetstream2 resource time. Source
Checked 13 November 2026. Terms change, so read the programme page before you apply.
Check current status and next steps
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NERSC allocations and AY2027 call (ERCAP)
Read the programme evidence and access steps
Who can apply: Projects supporting the relevant DOE science programme or HPC education; exploratory and other project classes have separate conditions.
What you get: Reviewed NERSC resource allocations, subject to project approval and available resources.
How to apply: New PIs first request ERCAP access, then submit the correct allocation-year request for review.
Open at latest check: NERSC ERCAP initial requests Checked 13 November 2026.
Open-science and HPC-education teams seeking a reviewed NERSC allocation. Initial requests may be submitted at any time. New PIs need an ERCAP access account before preparing and submitting the allocation-year form.
The main AY2027 window has ended. Year-round initial requests remain separate and depend on programme fit, review and resources; ALCC uses a separate process. Official source and next step
Deadline The pre-allocation-year 2027 window closed on 5 October 2026 at 5 p.m. PDT. NERSC accepts proposals throughout the year; additional allocations may be awarded while resources remain. The next pre-allocation-year call date is not recorded here.
- The allocation year 2027 call opened on 10 August 2026 and closed on 5 October 2026 at 5 p.m. PDT. Proposals submitted by that deadline are due to receive a determination in the week of 14 December 2026. Source
- NERSC says it accepts proposals throughout the year and can make additional allocations while resources remain, but most resources are distributed before the allocation year begins. Source
- The current ERCAP guide accepts initial requests at any time and requires a new PI to obtain ERCAP access before submitting. Source
Checked 12 October 2026. Terms change, so read the programme page before you apply.
Check current status and next steps
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Unverified current status
These records remain useful for discovery, but current application status has not been established.
National AI resource
| Programme and recorded region | Who can apply | Recorded resources | Evidence and next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| NAIRR Pilot resource requests US Unverified current status | US-based researchers and educators at US institutions, including academic bodies, non-profits, federal agencies, state, local or tribal agencies, and startups or small businesses with federal grants. | Access to computing resources, pre-trained models, datasets and educational material listed in the pilot's resource catalogue, for a twelve-month project period. | Read eligibility, application steps and limits Check the official programme Programme details checked 3 October 2026. Current availability needs checking. |
| NSF NAIRR Operations Center US Unverified current status | The announcement sets no eligibility; it points researchers to current opportunities on the NAIRR pilot website. | A coordinating centre that the page says will operate the national NAIRR portal, integrate computing, data, models and tools, and move successful pilot elements into sustained infrastructure. It is not itself an allocation call. | Read eligibility, application steps and limits Check the official programme Programme details checked 3 October 2026. Current availability needs checking. |
Full recorded evidence and application steps for national ai resource
NAIRR Pilot resource requests
Read the programme evidence and access steps
Who can apply: US-based researchers and educators at US institutions, including academic bodies, non-profits, federal agencies, state, local or tribal agencies, and startups or small businesses with federal grants.
What you get: Access to computing resources, pre-trained models, datasets and educational material listed in the pilot's resource catalogue, for a twelve-month project period.
How to apply: Complete the online form and upload a three-page PDF proposal through the NAIRR Pilot submission site, using an institutional email address.
Unverified current status. Current availability needs checking; a missing deadline does not mean applications are open.
No future deadline recorded
- The call has been open since 6 May 2024 and stays open until the pilot ends or all resources are committed; proposals in by the 15th of a month are decided by the end of the following month. Source
- Graduate students can apply with a support letter from a faculty advisor, and personal email addresses are not accepted. Source
- NSF announced a NAIRR Operations Center, established on 1 September 2026 and led by the San Diego Supercomputer Center, to run a national portal for resources. Source
Checked 3 October 2026. Terms change, so read the programme page before you apply.
Check current status and next steps
Run this programme? .
NSF NAIRR Operations Center
Read the programme evidence and access steps
Who can apply: The announcement sets no eligibility; it points researchers to current opportunities on the NAIRR pilot website.
What you get: A coordinating centre that the page says will operate the national NAIRR portal, integrate computing, data, models and tools, and move successful pilot elements into sustained infrastructure. It is not itself an allocation call.
How to apply: Use the NAIRR pilot site for current opportunities (see nairr-pilot).
Unverified current status. Current availability needs checking; a missing deadline does not mean applications are open.
No future deadline recorded
- The announcement is dated 1 September 2026 and says the pilot has supported over 800 research projects. Source
Checked 3 October 2026. Terms change, so read the programme page before you apply.
Check current status and next steps
Run this programme? .
Closed / historical
Past calls are preserved for reference. A recorded closure is not evidence that a new round is open.
Public supercomputing
| Programme and recorded region | Who can apply | Recorded resources | Evidence and next step |
|---|---|---|---|
| DOE INCITE US Closed / historical | US- and non-US-based researchers and research organisations whose science, engineering, data or AI project needs a large allocation or another distinctive capability of the Department of Energy leadership facilities. | A selected project receives time on Frontier at Oak Ridge or Aurora at Argonne, data-storage resources and assigned scientific and technical support. The allocation does not fund research labour or other project costs. | Read eligibility, application steps and limits Check the official programme INCITE 2027: new-proposal window ended: The published new-proposal window ended on 15 June 2026 at 20:00 EDT. Use the official programme to check a later call or the separate Director's Discretionary preparation route. Source Status checked 13 November 2026: closed / historical. Programme details checked 11 October 2026. The application-status and programme-detail checks have separate dates. |
| DOE ASCR Leadership Computing Challenge (ALCC) US Closed / historical | Funded researchers affiliated with a university, laboratory, government agency or industry whose project supports a Department of Energy mission or research priority. DOE funding is not required, but approved project funding from another source is required, together with a relevant DOE office or priority and a programme manager or project sponsor contact. | A selected project receives a one-year allocation of node-hours on a named system at NERSC, ALCF or OLCF. The checked 2026-2027 cycle lists Frontier, Aurora, Polaris and Perlmutter. ALCC supplies computing time, not financial support for the research. | Read eligibility, application steps and limits Check the official programme ALCC 2026-2027: proposal window ended: The page's dated proposal deadline was 26 January 2026 at 20:00 ET. Recheck the official call for a separately published next cycle. Source Status checked 13 November 2026: closed / historical. Programme details checked 11 October 2026. The application-status and programme-detail checks have separate dates. |
Full recorded evidence and application steps for public supercomputing
DOE INCITE
Read the programme evidence and access steps
Who can apply: US- and non-US-based researchers and research organisations whose science, engineering, data or AI project needs a large allocation or another distinctive capability of the Department of Energy leadership facilities.
What you get: A selected project receives time on Frontier at Oak Ridge or Aurora at Argonne, data-storage resources and assigned scientific and technical support. The allocation does not fund research labour or other project costs.
How to apply: First test whether the work genuinely needs leadership-scale resources. INCITE strongly encourages a Director's Discretionary project to port, tune, scale and benchmark where needed; then use the published INCITE templates and submit during an annual call. Proposals receive a technical assessment and peer review. An award still requires each participating institution to accept the relevant facility user agreement before its researchers can access the system.
Closed / historical: INCITE 2027: new-proposal window ended Checked 13 November 2026.
Historical leadership-scale research call open to US and non-US researchers. The published new-proposal window ended on 15 June 2026 at 20:00 EDT. Use the official programme to check a later call or the separate Director's Discretionary preparation route.
Some page text still describes solicitation, but its dated submission window has ended. Preparation access is separate from an INCITE award, and a later annual call is not confirmed here. Official source and next step
Deadline The 2027 new-proposal window closed 15 June 2026 at 8 p.m. EDT; the next annual call date is not yet recorded here.
- The checked 2027 call is open to US- and non-US-based researchers and organisations regardless of funding source, but it is intended for projects that need large allocations or distinctive leadership-facility architecture or infrastructure. Source
- INCITE says projects typically use at least 20% of a resource or another unique architectural capability. It strongly encourages a Director's Discretionary project first for porting, tuning, scaling and generating benchmarking data for the proposal; those preparation requests can be made throughout the year. Source
- The 2027 instructions anticipated allocations between 500,000 and 2 million node-hours on each of Frontier and Aurora, while noting that individual awards may be higher. Scientific impact is the predominant award factor alongside the team's ability to use the systems effectively. Source
- The 2027 new-proposal window ran from 8 April to 15 June 2026 at 8 p.m. EDT and is closed. The programme FAQ says calls are normally issued annually in spring for the following calendar year; no later call date is recorded here. Source
- Non-proprietary awardees are not charged for facility access, but INCITE supplies compute time and storage rather than research funding. Proprietary use is charged on a full-cost-recovery basis and has separate agreement requirements. Source
Checked 11 October 2026. Terms change, so read the programme page before you apply.
Check current status and next steps
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DOE ASCR Leadership Computing Challenge (ALCC)
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Who can apply: Funded researchers affiliated with a university, laboratory, government agency or industry whose project supports a Department of Energy mission or research priority. DOE funding is not required, but approved project funding from another source is required, together with a relevant DOE office or priority and a programme manager or project sponsor contact.
What you get: A selected project receives a one-year allocation of node-hours on a named system at NERSC, ALCF or OLCF. The checked 2026-2027 cycle lists Frontier, Aurora, Polaris and Perlmutter. ALCC supplies computing time, not financial support for the research.
How to apply: Confirm that the project fits a DOE mission priority and the requested machine, then prepare the single-stage proposal with the required funding, sponsor, computational plan, code, security and project narrative information. Submit through the official ALCC application dashboard during a published call. Proposals receive science and computational review before an internal DOE selection. An award still requires the applicable facility terms before system use.
Closed / historical: ALCC 2026-2027: proposal window ended Checked 13 November 2026.
Historical DOE-aligned allocation cycle for the July 2026 to June 2027 period. The page's dated proposal deadline was 26 January 2026 at 20:00 ET. Recheck the official call for a separately published next cycle.
The page retains solicitation wording for that expired submission window. Ongoing allocations do not mean new applications are open; no 2027-2028 deadline is verified here. Official source and next step
Deadline The 2026-2027 proposal deadline closed on 26 January 2026 at 8 p.m. ET. That allocation cycle runs from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027; the next call date is not yet recorded here.
- The checked eligibility guidance accepts funded researchers from universities, laboratories, government agencies and industry. DOE funding is not required, but a recognised funding source and a project aligned with a DOE mission or research priority are required. Source
- The 2026-2027 call uses one proposal rather than a pre-proposal stage. It requires the requested machine and physical node-hours, code and workflow evidence, funding and sponsor information, a security questionnaire and the prescribed narrative materials. Source
- Selection considers research quality, responsiveness to DOE and national priorities, and computational merit. Proposals receive external scientific review and assessment by facility computational experts before an internal ALCC working group makes selections. Source
- The checked 2026-2027 call closed on 26 January 2026 at 8 p.m. ET. Its allocation year runs from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. Some page copy still says proposals are being solicited, so the dated deadline is treated as controlling and no later call is inferred. Source
- Applicants can request up to three allocation years, but years two and three require annual renewal. Awardees must sign the applicable facility terms before access and unused hours can be reduced during the allocation year. Source
Checked 11 October 2026. Terms change, so read the programme page before you apply.
Check current status and next steps
Run this programme? .