How do I apply for a new TeraGrid allocation?

About allocations

A TeraGrid allocation is a grant of computing time or data space on TeraGrid resources that is awarded to a researcher who serves as the principal investigator (PI) of an approved project.

For more, see On the TeraGrid, what types of allocations are available? and Who is eligible to apply for a TeraGrid allocation?

Note: An allocation is not an account. An account is the specific method individuals use to log into resources to use the time or space granted in the PI's allocation. A PI can add users to an existing allocation via the TeraGrid User Portal; see How can I add or remove a user from an existing TeraGrid allocation?

Applying for a new allocation

Before applying for a TeraGrid allocation, you should determine whether your project will need more or fewer than 30,000 Service Units (SUs). If you are unsure, follow these steps and request 0 - 30,000 SUs. These directions are designed to meet the needs of first-time TeraGrid users. If you need a larger allocation, see About applying for a Research allocation on the TeraGrid.

Also, before you start, have available a current copy of your curriculum vitae (CV) in either Microsoft Word (.doc), HTML, PDF, or PostScript format.

To apply for a TeraGrid allocation:

1. Log into the Partnerships Online Proposal System. On the left, under "Login", click Use POPS login, enter your username and password, and click OK.

   Note: If this is your first time visiting POPS, you'll have to create a POPS login before you can access the system; see How do I create a login for the TeraGrid's Partnerships Online Proposal System?

2. Under "Proposal Type", click New.
   
   
3. Under "Select The Resource Level For Your Request", click the radio button for 0 - 30,000, and then click Continue.
   
   
4. In the next window, click to choose a committee meeting that corresponds with the resource you're requesting.
   
   
5. Complete the principal investigator (PI) information. Only fields marked with an asterisk are required.

   Note: If you are a National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellow or Honorable Mention, enter your information on the PI screen, and check the Check If NSF Fellow checkbox.

6. Click Next -> Co-PI Information. If you would like to add a co-PI, enter the required information. You must select a country. To add more than one co-PI, click Add CO-PI. When you're finished, or if you have no co-PIs to add, click Next -> Proposal Information.
   
   
7. Complete the "Proposal Information" page as follows:
   
   
   • Enter a title (limit 255 characters).
   • For "Primary Field Of Science", click Select Field of Science to display available fields. Scroll to find the field of science that best describes your work, and then click the field to select it. Then click Select.
   • For "Secondary Field Of Science", click Select Field of Science to display available fields. Scroll to find the field of science that best describes your work, and then click the field to select it. Then click Select.
   • For "Keywords", enter a comma-separated list of keywords for your proposal.
   • For "Abstract", enter an abstract for your proposal. Only ASCII text is allowed; non-ASCII characters may be removed.
   
   
8. Click Next -> Supporting Grants. If you have no supporting grants, click the checkbox next to No Supporting Grants. If you have a supporting grant, fill out all the required fields on the form.

   Note: If you're an NSF Fellow or Honorable Mention, enter relevant information about your fellowship, or upload a PDF attachment confirming your Fellowship or Honorable Mention status.

   When you're finished:

   • To add another grant, click Add Grant.
   • To continue, click Next -> Resource Request.
   
   
9. Complete the "Resource Request" page. For the number of Service Units (SUs), enter 30000 . Use the radio buttons to specify the resources you'll need. Under "Comments", enter all application packages you require, and any additional programming languages you use (limit 255 characters).

   When you're finished, click Next -> Proposal/Attachments.

10. Upload your CV using the Browse button next to "PI CV document". The upload process should be straightforward; next to "Extension", you'll have to indicate the format of your CV, which for many people will be a Microsoft Word .doc file.
    
    
11. On the left, click Save To Date.
    
    
12. When you're ready to submit your proposal, click Final Submission. The submission status on the menu on the left should change to "Submitted".

    Note: A window should appear with all your information; If it does not, click Submission Summary to view your information.

You should receive a packet of information via US postal mail within three weeks, though the process is frequently faster than that. For more, see What is the TeraGrid, and how can I get started using it?

This document was developed with support from the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. 0503697 to the University of Chicago and subcontracted to Indiana University. Additional support was provided by IU through its participation in the TeraGrid, which is supported by the NSF under Grants No. 0833618, SCI451237, SCI535258, and SCI504075. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSF.

Also see:

• On the TeraGrid, what is a Roaming allocation?
• What are my responsibilities as a TeraGrid user?