Extreme scale computing technologies, methods and algorithms for key applications and support to the HPC ecosystem (CSA Coordination and support action , RIA Research and Innovation action) - FETHPC-02-2019

Deadline: Sep 24, 2019  
CALL EXPIRED

To develop world-class extreme scale, power-efficient and highly resilient High Performance Computing and data technologies, and to provide support for a sustainable exascale HPC ecosystem in Europe, enabling collaborations among the relevant stakeholders.

A. Research and Innovation Actions

Proposals should address the development of extreme scale computing technologies, methods and algorithms through a strong co-design approach driven by ambitious extreme computing and data applications and in close cooperation with the scientific disciplines and stakeholders concerned.

The designs of the technology should respond to critical demands of performance, energy efficiency, scale, resilience, programmability, dynamic workflows etc. Proposals should describe clear metrics and targets when addressing these demands, quantify progress with respect to the state-of-the-art, and address the research challenges with a holistic view and their impact on the whole computational process including data movement and storage.

Proposals should clearly articulate how research will have a significant impact in enabling ambitious extreme-scale scientific and engineering applications.

Where relevant, proposals should also provide a path towards long-term standardisation of the technologies (e.g. system software architecture, programming models, APIs, etc).

Proposals should clearly identify and address at least one of the following areas:

a. System software and management, addressing adaptive and dynamic scheduling; heterogeneity of system components; efficient data access, transfers and communication, novel execution models for emerging HPC and High Performance Data Analytics (HPDA) usages, etc.

b. Programming environments, reducing programming complexity and increasing scalability through advancements throughout the programming model and system software stack, and addressing code maintainability and functional portability across existing and future architectures and systems. Interoperability throughout the programming environment should be addressed.

c. I/O and storage environment for data-centric extreme scale computing addressing overall system performance predictability, feature-rich and flexible data access and storage system API’s, backup and retrieval of extreme volumes of data and systems operation in virtualised operating environment.

d. Data-intensive supercomputing and emerging HPC use modes addressing efficient implementation of established Big Data software frameworks and workloads on extreme-scale HPC systems, including the integration of Big Data and HPC programming models; algorithmic research addressing Machine Learning on HPC systems; interactive use of HPC resources for real time data analysis.

e. Mathematical methods and algorithms for extreme scalability of computing and data with impact in system energy reduction and resilience, and addressing the usability and the efficient implementation on different HPC architectures. Work should link to HPC and extreme scale data architectures and technologies as well as to relevant applications (e.g. challenges identified by the European Centres of Excellence on HPC).

The Commission considers that proposals for Research and Innovation Actions requesting a contribution from the EU of between EUR 5 and 10 million and a duration of 3 years would allow this area to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts and duration.

Note that special Grant Conditions will apply for projects granted under this topic. Please see under Call Conditions.

B. Coordination and Support Action

To boost a sustainable European HPC ecosystem by providing activities to structure the community, to promote collaborations and synergies among Horizon 2020 HPC projects, Centres of Excellence on HPC (CoEs), Extreme scale Demonstrators (EsD), to create links with Big Data related activities, and to follow up and cooperate with other relevant international HPC activities. A specific focus will be given to the convergence of HPC and HPDA (High Performance Data Analytics). Activities should also address the following:

• coordinate the European HPC strategy, and monitor and measure its implementation,
• produce roadmaps for HPC technology and applications, covering also the post-exascale, and evaluate them through impact monitoring
• promote the European strategy and the results of the European HPC ecosystem (including at international level), engage with HPC users and foster industry take-up
• build and maintain relations with other relevant international HPC activities
• support the generation of young talent.

This coordination and support action should be driven by the relevant actors in the HPC field. It is expected that only one proposal will be selected.

The Commission considers that proposals for Coordination and Support Actions requesting a contribution from the EU of up to EUR 4 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

A. Research and Innovation Actions

• Contribution to the realisation of the ETP4HPC Strategic Research Agenda
• Addressing important segments of the broader and/or emerging HPC markets, especially extreme-computing, emerging use modes and extreme-data HPC systems, and addressing where relevant the path to industrialisation of results
• Strengthening competitiveness and leadership of European industry & science, in particular of European technology supply
• European excellence in mathematics and algorithms for extreme scale HPC systems and applications working with extreme scale data
• Impact on key scientific or industrial applications with relevance to societal challenges

B. Coordination and Support Action

• strengthening the European research and industrial leadership in the supply, operation and use of HPC and HPDA systems
• contribution to the realisation of the ETP4HPC Strategic Research Agenda
• structuring the efforts of stakeholders for implementing the European HPC strategy
• reinforced cooperation in international endeavours on HPC