Documents
NERC policy on access to high performance computing (PDF)
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Details
This publication outlines the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) policy on access to high performance computing at the national ARCHER 2 service and at the Joint NERC/Met Office Monsoon2.
It also includes guidance on applying if you are seeking a NERC research grant for work that requires access to high performance computing.
As part of the Comprehensive Spending Review in June 2025, the UK government committed up to £750 million into a new national supercomputer service hosted at the University of Edinburgh. The new national supercomputer will replace the current ARCHER2 supercomputer, with this service currently due to end on 21 November 2026.
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) are working on options for the period of transition and further details will be communicated in due course. You are able to continue to apply for time on ARCHER2 or explore use of other UKRI or commercial service provisions, noting these may be different in remit and access process.
Any use of commercial HPC services will require inclusion of full access costs within your application.
Updates
- 29 September 2025
Document updated. - 28 August 2025
Document updated. - 27 August 2025
Details section updated to reflect availability of ARCHER2 - 19 June 2025
Document updated to reflect availability of ARCHER2 and further details of applying to use JASMIN. - 23 July 2024
Policy document updated. - 26 February 2024
Document updated to reflect changes in the HPC provision and to include JASMIN.