New HPC Resources exclusively for Engineering Sciences in NRW

Schematic representation of access to computing resources

Exclusive Access for Engineering Sciences in NRW (Tier-3)

RWTH small - New for engineering science in NRW (< 0.36 Mio. Core-h)

NHR-Resources (Tier-2)

NHR normal (1-12 Mio. Core-h)

NHR large (12-50 Mio. Core-h)

At a Glance

  • The IT Center of RWTH Aachen is now opening up the local HPC resources for engineering scientists from NRW.
  • High opportunities for computing time utilisation and easy access without complex applications.
  • Free use of the starte-of-the-art high-performance computer CLAIX-2023.
  • Authorized users: Researchers from NRW universities and universities of applied sciences with projects in the field of engineering sciences.
  • Extent of use: Up to 0.36 mio core hours of computing time in the “RWTH small” category.

What Does This Mean?

The IT Center's high-performance computer has been available to national scientists for years as part of NHR4CES and HPC.NRW. They can apply for computing time and advance their research with the help of the CLAIX infrastructure and the support of our HPC experts. Nevertheless, this application route was reserved for larger computing time projects with more than one million core hours (Core-h). In addition, applying for NHR resources requires a comprehensive project description with detailed justification of the resource requirements, which is particularly challenging for new users of HPC systems. The opening of the local Tier-3 level of CLAIX-2023 will significantly simplify the application process for scientists from NRW who have a project in the field of engineering sciences. Scientists from NRW who have a project in the field of engineering sciences can now use parts of the local Tier 3 level of CLAIX-2023 and apply for computing time in a much simplified way.

The Advantages of the Tier-3 Level

The Tier-3 level for computing resources offers local, university-specific computing resources centralized at a university. These resources are usually reserved for researchers within the university and can be used easily without long application processes - a detailed project description and an external scientific review process are not necessary here.

With the new high-performance computer CLAIX-2023, some of these local computing resources have been opened up to engineering scientists from NRW. This means that researchers from the engineering sciences in NRW can now also apply for computing time without complications and have a good chance of receiving the full amount of computing time at RWTH Aachen University free of charge.
This new service ensures easy access to suitable computing resources and helps to ensure that all universities are covered.

Who Can Use These Local Resources?

Researchers working at a university or university of applied sciences in NRW and conducting an engineering project (according to the DFG subject classification system) can apply for local computing time on CLAIX-2023. This means, for example, that researchers in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) with projects in the engineering sciences can also use our local resources.

Extent of Use

The researchers in question from NRW can apply for the “RWTH small” category for their project. In this category, computing time of <0.36 mio Core-h is available to them.

If you are planning a larger project and need more computing time, the Tier-2 level is more suitable. You will find all the necessary information in the following NHR4CES step-by-step guide.

Info box with background information

An Example


You are a scientist at a university of applied sciences in NRW and realize that you need support with your research. Your project is in the field of engineering sciences. You have a lot of data and know from colleagues that it can be processed faster with HPC resources. Your institute does not have a high-performance computer and you have no experience in this area. You would like to apply for computing time for this small but long-term project and also need support in the area of HPC. We can now help you with our local HPC resources!

Contact us to find out more or visit the HPC.NRW consultation hour for computing time applications, which takes place every fourth Thursday of the month from 3 to 4pm.