Description: Test projects are intended for new users of the SLING infrastructure to learn how to use the available systems and to test the software and algorithms before preparing a larger project proposal. This mode of use is also suitable for existing users who need an allocation to rework and test new software or applications, who want to start using the systems in a new research area, or who need access to prepare appropriate benchmarking, performance and scalability analyzes to justify the use resources in project applications. A TP project can be a research project with limited resource requirements, a test and development project, or a project with specific objectives, such as for data post-processing and visualization or for demonstration purposes for specific promotional or educational purposes. Projects with special characteristics (e.g. data visualizations, promotion, etc.) can apply for the allocation of appropriate specific resources. Applicants are asked to clearly state such needs in the application form.
Amount of allocated resources: It will be determined for one project for three months in each tender separately.
Terms for users: TP projects are granted access for a maximum of 3 months from the date of resource allocation. Computational resources are allocated according to SLING task scheduling standards, on certain systems a special system of resource utilization rules may be in use. In the case of a “promotional” project, beneficiaries may request that access be granted to individuals or groups attending workshops, demonstrations or other events. Such access is usually limited to 15 days. The proposal for temporary access must specify the person who will be responsible for the annual reporting of this activity.
Beneficiaries, review process and allocation: TP projects can be submitted by the applicant to a permanently open tender at any time, and project applications are automatically accepted for new users and upon first renewal, while administrators only report applications to groups of experts. Other requests are subject to a technical evaluation by the field group in a continuous call within a month of the application, which is sufficient for administrators to grant access.
Possibility of renewal: TP projects can be renewed twice, namely by re-application of the same project proposal, which is treated in the same way.
Possibility of expansion: TP projects can be expanded by a maximum of 20% of the allocated resources or the estimated duration, and in order to further increase the approved capacities, the applicant must submit a new project application for the appropriate type of project.
Project support: SLING provides high-level technical support to each TP project organized by a user support team. In specific cases, the applicant may request the support of experts at the time of application to solve specific problems or provide optimization required by the project. Such support must be requested and justified by the applicant in the project application.
Limitations: Each applicant can have a maximum of ten approved TP projects per year in the role of research leader.
Project application: Project application is possible via the application form, the link to which is available with each current tender.
Instructions for project application
Project applications are subject to an assessment of technical suitability and feasibility as well as a scientific review, so applications must include the following components, which you attach as files to the application form:
- project proposal – it should not be longer than two A4 pages with pictures and references (you can download a blank template here). The proposal must contain the following elements:
- project name
- project goals
- a brief description of the research method and algorithms and the program, including technical aspects such as the approach to parallelization, etc., and any research goals that the project should achieve by the end of the period, or parameters for a possible production research project
- development outline; algorithms and research method (including current state of software, benchmarking and scaling; algorithms and implementations (a clear description of algorithm development if needed), approach to programming and parallelization
- resource requirements – type of hardware, requirements for processing capacity, memory, disk capacity, I/O and network requirements, dedicated hardware such as general-purpose graphics co-processors (GPGPUs) or FPGAs, tools, compilers and debuggers
- list of project collaborators (name, organization, username and identification data of existing users)
- CV of applicants,
- list of applicants’ publications,
- a list of references, including previous applications and letters of support,
- a statement that the applicant will comply with the rules on the use of resources, the rules of permissible use, and the obligation to mention the capacity provider in all publications based on the use of capacities, and the obligation to notify the local administrator in the event of unexpected events (blank template is available at available here)
- signed and confirmed document with which you agree to the terms of the GDPR – signed by all project members (blank template available here).
Please note that a project application that lacks any of the listed mandatory components may be rejected.
Extension and work report
In order to extend the project, test project managers must submit a progress report at least one month before the end of the project, on the basis of which the project extension can be approved. The project will be suspended if the report is not submitted on time.
- Test Project Managers (TP) must submit a progress report with justification of resource requirements at least one month before the end of the project.
- When renewing a project or applying for a project extension, user can request a maximum of 20% additional resources than were approved in the original resource allocation. A time extension is also possible for a maximum of 20% of the original allocation.
- Progress reports and requests for extensions must contain a list of project collaborators, the amount of scientific research hours of dedicated scientific work by researchers on the project, and any references and publications (published or in the process of peer review) as well as data on the achievement of goals and project steps in relation to the original project application (blank template is available here)
- After the completion of the project, the manager is obliged to submit a final report (a blank template is available here).
Requests for project extensions and all reports can be sent to support@sling.si.
