Introduction

Before you can gain access to any of the SURFsara computer systems an administrative procedure has to be followed. On this page we will tell you how you can apply for access to Cartesius. Once access is granted, you can have a look at the second part where we explain how you can access Cartesius from your laptop or desktop computer.

How to get an account

Affiliates of one of the Dutch Universities or Grand Technology Institutes can submit an application for computing capacity on the Cartesius system to NWO. Furthermore, several universities have a direct contract with SURFsara enabling access in a more direct manner.

Access via NWO

The scope of the 2019 Compute call of NWO is described here: https://www.nwo.nl/en/news-and-events/news/2019/02/call-for-submissions-...

The procedure for application has been split, depending on the amount of resources you want to request

• For small requests up to 500,000 core-hours on Cartesius you choose the fast lane via SURFsara: https://www.surf.nl/en/dutch-national-supercomputer-cartesius. These requests will only be assessed on technical feasibility and should be handled within 2 weeks.
• For larger requests above 500,000 core-hours Cartesius, you have to submit your application directly to NWO (https://isaac.nwo.nl). These proposals will be peer reviewed and be discussed within the scientific committee (WGS), which has been mandated by the NWO board to grant CPU time. The number of referees depends on the actual amount of computing time you apply for. NWO may ask you for clarification of your request, based on comments of the referee(s). During the following WGS meeting, a granting decision will be taken. This procedure may take 4-8 weeks, since referees and a meeting of the WGS are involved. The NWO office (to be confirmed by the WGS) is in general able to provide you with a preliminary amount of computing time, which is around 10-20% of what you applied for.

If your proposal is accepted, you will receive a granting letter. SURFsara will receive a copy of these, and will contact you with directions on how to obtain your account(s) on Cartesius.

My application has been accepted, what's next?

After acceptance of the application together with the granting letter you will receive:

1. Download the NWO User Form Cartesius. It contains administrative information. Fill out and send to SURFsara together with a copy of the granting letter. Please note that you have to send both documents to SURFsara each time you get a new grant, even for preliminary grants.
2. Report template. You have to use this when you have to report back to NWO after your project (one year) has finished. More information can be found on the website of NWO, in particular at the following pages:

• General information,

In case of further questions, contact NWO (rekentijd@nwo.nl) or the SURFsara helpdesk.

Access to Cartesius directly

Several universities have a direct contract with SURFsara, please check the list here to check whether your institution already has such a contract.