Resource allocation

Resource allocation

CSC provides computing, data storage, and cloud resources to support scientific research. These resources are allocated to maximize scientific impact and ensure effective use of national research infrastructure. CSC employs several models for applying for computing, data storage and cloud resources. These pages introduce ways to apply resources for free-of-charge use. Commercial users need to purchase services. If you are a commercial user, please consult CSC Service Desk for acquiring resources.

In general, application are submitted via MyCSC Customer portal. In case the resource you are requesting cannot be applied via MyCSC, please contact Service Desk. Please find below more information about each model as well as guidance on how to write good resource applications.

Resource requests are assessed holistically, taking into account both scientific and technical considerations, in particular:

• Scientific excellence: assessed based on the application, progress since previous application, demonstrated through the quality and impact of the applicant’s publications.
• Research merit and impact: including previous positive evaluations from national and international funders.
• Support for multidisciplinary research, collaboration, and emerging research areas.
• Technical suitability and readiness, including the appropriateness of the requested resources, research methods, and the team’s ability to use them effectively.
• Efficient use of resources, considering factors such as scalability, computational efficiency, memory and storage needs, software availability, and data management with respect to available resources.
• Fairness and equal access across scientific disciplines and institutions.

Depending on demand and available capacity, allocations may differ from the amounts requested.

Depending on the type, resource applications are processed immediately, reviewed by Resource Officer or Resource Allocation Board. The Board comprises a chairperson, expert members and key service owners. The chairperson and expert members are selected among CSC staff to ascertain that the group has high-level scientific knowledge in different domains, process and technical expertise, and insights based on their experience. When needed, external assessments may be requested from CSC experts with relevant expertise. The Board convenes every two weeks to review applications and grant resources. Exception to the two-weeks cycle may occur during holiday seasons. These exceptions are informed in MyCSC and on these pages. Please find more information about the general resource application processing times below as well as deadlines for large applications.

Users are advised to submit a resource application which covers maximum 1 year of resource usage at a time. Please note that in addition to the scientific evaluation, also amount of project’s remaining resources and previous resource usage affect the awarded resources. Also, in general new projects are granted with small resources to begin with and users are advised to apply for more resources after successfully demonstrating their resource usage. Please note that Resource Officers and Resource Allocation Board may reject applications that contain incorrect or incomplete information, or if there is a reason to suspect that the user violates CSC Terms of Use, LUMI Terms of Use or the free-of-charge policy.

If you have questions regarding applying resources, please feel free to contact Service Desk.

Models for applying resources

• Billing unit applications
• Finnish LUMI resource applications
• Managing service quotas

How to write good resource applications?

• How to write a good billing unit application?
• How to write a good LUMI resource application?
• How to write a good Roihu disk quota application?

Large resource application deadlines

All Large (L) Billing unit applications, LUMI Regular applications, large disk quota applications and Roihu dataset project applications are reviewed by Resource Allocation Board every two weeks. Deadlines for submitting an application:

The Resource Allocations Board meetings take place on Wednesdays after the deadlines. We aim to allocate the resources based on the Board’s decisions latest a couple days after each meeting.

Resource application processing times

Billing unit applications
S package	Small resource requests are processed immediately. It might take 1-2 hours before the granted billing units are available in the system.
M package	1-4 weekdays. Reviewed by Resource Officer.
L package	1-2 weeks. Reviewed by Resource Allocation Board. Deadlines for applications
LUMI resource applications
LUMI Development	1-4 weekdays. Reviewed by Resource Officer.
LUMI Benchmark	1-4 weekdays. Reviewed by Resource Officer.
LUMI Regular	1-2 weeks. Reviewed by Resource Allocation Board. Deadlines for applications
Disk quota applications
Allas, Roihu	Small requests 1-4 weekdays. Reviewed by Resource Officer. Large requests 1-2 weeks. Reviewed by Resource Allocation Board. Deadlines for applications
Roihu dataset project	1-2 weeks. Reviewed by Resource Allocation Board. Deadlines for applications

Billing unit application freeze periods

MyCSC resource application system prevents applicants from submitting multiple billing unit applications in a short period of time. 

• After submitting an S package application, next application can be submitted after 7 days.
• After submitting an M or L package application, next application can be submitted after 21 days.

Right to appeal

If the user is not satisfied with how their application has been handled, the user has the right to appeal to the CSC Resource Allocation Group by contacting CSC Service Desk. The CSC Resource Allocation Group will handle any requests and either correct the mistake or give a response. If the user is unsatisfied with this response, the user then has the right of appeal to CSC’s Board of Directors.

Resource cut policy

We encourage projects to use their granted resources. As part of capacity management, we apply a resource cut policy to all academic projects as well as LUMI Regular and Extreme Scale projects. This means that resources are cut if they are not used. This improves the predictability of service usage and reduces the amount of unused resources. 

Academic projects

• After 6 months from the latest substantial allocation, resources are cut to 60 % of total allocation if less than 40 % of the total allocation have been used.
• Resources are not cut if the project has used more than 40 % of their total allocation during the last 6 months.
• The policy applies separately to CPU, GPU, Cloud and Storage allocations.

LUMI Regular and Extreme Scale projects

• After 6 months from the project start, resources are cut to 60 % of initial allocation if less than 40 % of the initial allocation have been used.
• Resources are not cut if the project has used more than 40 % of their initial allocation during the first 6 months.
• The policy applies separately to CPU and GPU allocations. The policy does not apply to Storage allocations.
• For more information, please see LUMI Resource cut-off policy.

Project follow-up

CSC monitors resource usage to ensure effective utilization of shared infrastructure. Very large or resource-intensive projects may be asked to provide progress updates to support planning and capacity management.

Confidentiality

Information provided in application is handled confidentially. Regarding academic projects which are using resources under the free-of-charge use policy, part of the information may be publicly used to demonstrate the usage and impact of CSC’s services. This information include the project title, project manager, organization, project description as well as allocated and used resources.